The Perfect Gift

Chapter 23

"Did you get the photos?" John asked Mary once she had arrived at the gate to the graveyard exhausted from running most of the way there.

She was excited, but nervous all at the same time. She hoped her father would be proud of them for all their planning.

"Of course I did!"

"Perfect. You all set to tell Pa?" John asked her.

"I think so. I just want everything to be perfect, you know?"

"Me too...me too."

There was a pause after John spoke.

"Well, let's head home," John said.

They walked back talking through their plan, the time flying by. Eventually, they ended up back at the mercantile. When they entered inside, their father was waiting for them.

"Where have you two been? What have you been up to?" he asked, not in an angry voice, but more curious.

"Well..." Mary started.

"Wait until grandma's here too," John whispered to Mary.

They looked up at their father and gave him a smile.

"We'd like to wait to tell both you and grandma at the same time," John informed him.

"Ahh, okay. Should I get her?" he asked, too loudly.

"No, wait until she wakes up. She needs rest."

A door creaked open behind them, and their grandmother came out.

"Should you get me for what?  You all need to stop talking about me when you think I can't hear you. My hearing will be the last thing to go, am I sure of it...well, as long as that mayor doesn't come storming back in here at any given moment making a horrible ruckus!"

They chuckled.

"Please, take a seat, Ma. The children have something they want to tell us," Mary's father said gently.

"What? Are they moving out already?"

"No, Ma. Of course not! Though it certainly feels like it sometimes. They're growing up."

"They most certainly are. Now, what is it, children?" their grandmother asked.

Mary started to become nervous, so she let John speak for her.

"Well, Pa, grandma, we thought... well, I mean... Mary and me, we planned to have a special ceremony for...Ma."

No one said anything. Finally, their father spoke up.

"I'm not sure what to say, John. Today's not a great day. I'm not sure I feel like going out for a memorial right now."

"What? How come?"

"You know... it's today. I would rather stay here and think."

"Today's the perfect day. It just makes sense. Please, Pa. We have everything set up, and it would be a shame to have to clean it up."

Mary's father looked at her grandma.

"Richard, this could be good for you. Go see what they have planned."

"Actually, grandma," Mary said, "We'd like you to come too. We'll help you get over there - to the churchyard."

"Well, thank you children," she responded.

"Pa?" John asked, the question lingering in the air.

"I don't know... I suppose I'll give it a shot."