I scrolled through TV channels for over an hour before I heard my aunt’s SUV pull into the gravel driveway. Slipping the ring box into my pocket, I headed toward the front door, then pulled a pair of my dad’s slippers on and walked outside.
“Oh, good, Alex! I need your help,” my mom called, waving at me from the back of the vehicle.
I jogged toward her. “What’s up?”
“I bought a fridge,” she said, staring at the box in the back of my aunt’s SUV. “The nice men at the store loaded it up, but it’s too heavy for me to lift it out.”
“You bought a fridge?”
“It’s just a mini-fridge,” she said.
“Why would you buy a mini-fridge?” I asked, sliding it toward me. Whoever had shoved the box in the car must’ve really wanted it gone. The thing was wedged in there.
“I was thinking I could put it in our room,” she said, watching me. “Don’t drop it.”
“I’m not gonna drop it.” My aunt Ellie, Morgan, and Sarai were now standing behind us while I tried to pry the box out of the trunk. “Why exactly would you need a fridge in your room?”
“In case I get thirsty,” my mom replied.
“You can’t,” I grunted as I lifted the fridge, “walk fifty feet to the fridge in the kitchen?”
“Maybe I don’t want to walk fifty feet,” she said, leading me toward the house so she could open the front door for me. “Maybe I want to grab myself a drink without having to put any clothes on. It gets drafty at night.”
“Aw, Mom,” I groaned in disgust.
“Well, you asked,” she said, pointing where she wanted me to set it down. “Don’t ask if you don’t want to know the answer.”
“Lesson learned,” I replied, following her back out of the house.
“Every year, this happens,” my aunt Ellie complained, searching through the bags. “Why do we always get the same crap?”
“Because we’ve got good taste,” my mom replied, walking over to help her.
“I’m so exhausted,” Sarai murmured, slumping against me as I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “We went to about fifteen stores.”
“I see you got a few things,” I said, pulling the bags from her fingertips.
“Just a couple.” Her eyes were closed as she leaned against me. “Really good deals.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I decided that I’m getting you Hanukkah gifts this year and you can get me Christmas. We’ll cover both holidays.”
“There’s no way you’re getting me a bunch of gifts and I’m getting you only one,” I replied, leading her into the house. As soon as I’d gotten her onto the couch, I jogged back out to help my mom carry in her loot.
“Thanks, baby,” Mom said as we hauled in at least ten full bags. “Just don’t look in them, okay? I got a bunch of Christmas presents.”
We waved to my aunt and Morgan as they pulled out of the driveway, then made our way inside. Sarai was still on the couch, but she’d slipped off her shoes and was curled up on her side.
“Your fiancée did well,” Mom said, laughing. “She didn’t fall asleep until after we were home.”
“Ani crashed again?” I asked.
“Out like a light the minute we left the parking lot,” Mom confirmed. “I don’t know why she drinks those energy drinks. As soon as they stop working, she shuts down like a dead battery.”
“Did Bram have to carry her inside?” I asked.
“Well, you know she wouldn’t wake up,” Mom joked. “Just leave those there, son. I’ll come grab them in a minute. Put Sarai in bed so she can get some rest.”
I rounded the couch as my mom walked away, and lifted Sarai into my arms, startling her.
“I can walk,” she protested, dropping her head to my shoulder.
“I can carry you,” I replied.
I walked back to our room and set her on her feet so she could strip out of her pants and coat and slide on a pair of pajama pants before crawling into bed.
“I really don’t want to be a rude guest,” she said as she got comfortable, her eyes already closed. “But I have to nap, or I’m going to feel like shit later.”
“You’re not being rude,” I replied as I pulled the ring box out of my pocket and slid in next to her. “My mom will nap, too, once she goes through her haul and writes down all the presents she’s gotten.”
“She writes them down?” Sarai asked sleepily, curling up against my side.
“She’s got a lot of kids and grandkids to buy for. She writes everything down so she can keep track and she doesn’t miss anyone.”
“That’s sweet,” Sarai mumbled.
I lifted her hand and traced it with my index finger, debating with myself whether this was the moment I wanted to show her what I’d been doing all day.
“I got you some presents today,” she said sleepily, patting my chest. “So don’t look in my bags, okay?”