Page 77 of The Perfect Spiral
Their response left me puzzled. If they didn’t get it, then who did? I scanned the room, looking for the culprit. Finding a deep red envelope attached to the other present, I quickly opened it, hoping for some answers.
I know you’re probably going to kill me. But there’s no better person who deserves them. I bought these for you a while ago. I hope you like them, baby doll.
Damn Knox! I sighed, rubbing my hands over my face. Why did he buy these for me? I didn’t deserve them. I didn’t even deserve the card from him.
Next, I turned my attention to the large box beside me. Peeling back the wrapping paper, I saw the orange box with ‘Hermes’ written in small print on it. My heart pounded in my chest as I opened it.
“Hermes? Are you fucking kidding me?!” Sam squealed into my ear. I shot her a glare, and she gave me an apologetic look.
Inside the box was the grey and mint green bag I’d seen when we went shopping. I couldn’t believe he’d bought it for me, especially after I’d told him not to. I placed the bag on my surfboard and slumped back on the floor beside the tree, shaking my head.
“I don’t deserve either of these,” I said softly.
“Honey, who are they from?”
I nodded, meeting her gaze. She gave me a soft smile and rubbed my back. “He sure does care about you, sweetie. Maybe you should call him?” I nodded again, picking up my phone from the floor.
Why does he care so much? I just don’t get it. It’s like a switch flipped in his mind in Savannah and he decided to be nice to me all of a sudden.
I left the room and went out to the kitchen, pressing dial when I saw his name on my screen. He answered after three rings.
“Hey,” I replied. There were a few moments of silence. I honestly didn’t know what to say. I was in shock that he’d bought me these gifts, but I was the last person in the world who deserved anything from him.
“Knox, I... I can’t accept the presents.”
“Sure you can, baby doll.”
“No, I can’t. It doesn’t feel right. Thank you, but I don’t deserve any of it.” “Please, baby doll, I bought them for you before... before the shit hit the fan. Please, I want you to have them. And don’t ever say you don’t deserve anything because you deserve a lot more than what I just gave you.”
“Why? I don’t understand why you got them for me. I... please, Knox, I can’t accept them. Thank you, though. They’re absolutely beautiful and perfect, but I don’t deserve any of it. I don’t even deserve the card from you. There’s no damage done to either of them, so you can give them back and get your mon—”
“Alex, I don’t want them. I’m not taking them from you. I will refuse them if you send them back to me, and I won’t send them back. I want you to have them. I’m glad I bought them for you.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because I want to make it up to you. It’s the least I can do.”
“You have nothing to make up to me, Knox.”
“Yes, I do. I have a lot to make up to you. I have years of making up to do.”
I sighed and leaned back, staring up at the ceiling in my kitchen.
“Alex!!” Eden burst through the kitchen doors, dolls in hand. I picked her up and placed her on the counter.
“Who’s on the phone?” she asked. I told her it was Knox. She grabbed the phone from my hand and started chattering away, her dolls forgotten on the counter.
“Knoxie! Thank you for the p-wesent. Yea... yea... yeaaaa... Uh-huh... Are you coming over? I want to play dolls with you and Adam... Okay... yea... yea...”
She could talk to him all day if she could.
“Alrighty then! Yes, she’s here... okay... bye now! Love you!” she finally handed the phone back to me. I wedged the phone between my cheek and shoulder, setting Eden back on the floor.
“Look, I get that you want to keep your distance from me, but I want you to have the presents. Please.” I leaned against the counter, releasing another sigh and nodding my head.
“Okay, but expect a present from me. And thank you... you really didn’t have to. I love them. I love them a lot. Tell the family I say Merry Christmas and I hope Adam enjoys his presents.”
“I look forward to it. Anytime, baby doll. Merry Christmas! See you around.” He kept it short and sweet. We hung up the phone and I trudged back into the living room where Eric was waiting. “Hey sweetheart,” he beamed as I sat on the sofa next to him. He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me into his side.
