The Pond

Part Fifteen

Almost Christmas day, which meant two more weeks till Europe. The days came by so quick and I was getting a little more excited day by day.

Meg and I went Christmas shopping. Every year we would go and pick out things that we wanted and buy it for each other.

This year we were limited, with my saving for Europe and her moving out. So we kept it minimal. After shopping for us we shopped for my parents and siblings. Meg enjoyed this part most because she misses her parents most of all. Although we haven't missed a Christmas visit yet with her mothers lilies and her dads chocolates. We would sit there eating them for him because he would share and no one else would.

When it came to my parents she loved helping me find something sentimental.

After we finished the family shop we pondered on what to get Kale. We went out for a smoke, my first smoke since school. Meg was an addictive smoker. We went over things that would mean a lot to both of us.

'I know, why don't I laminate a rose from our first date? Tacky but sentimental. I book pressed two of them for keepsakes.' I said to Meg.

'That's perfect, but maybe we should get something small to go with. I mean it's your first Christmas as a couple. Don't want to look cheap.'

I sighed as we went back to the drawing board. We couldn't think of anything so we walked around for another hour. As our feet started to get soar we sat in the middle of the shopping centre on the couches. As we relaxed for a bit I was looking around and suddenly Kale appeared into my sight. Meg spotted him too. He didn't see us so I got up and Meg pulled me back down.

'He could lead us to what he want for Christmas Jamie,' she whispered.

I smiled, 'So we should stalk him then, to find out where he is going? But what if he is buying my gift?'

'Then we ruin the surprise but we need to make you look like a psychic. So lets follow him and find what he likes.'

As we followed him through every shop he went I was shocked he didn't notice us. Although we did pretty well at stalking him. He purchased a few things but nothing came up for me. At least I don't think so because, what he purchased wasn't anything of interest of me.

We started to get bored and almost gave up but then a miracle happened. We followed him into a store called Typo. I loved this place it had such wonderful purchases here. When we finally caught a break as we watched him hover over an item that interested him we waited till he left to check it out.
As he walked out we went to the spot he had been hovering and found a travel journal.

I picked it up and inspected it, 'How can we be sure this isn't something he'd be looking for me Meg? I mean its something I would like.'

'Well because he didn't buy it. If it was meant for you he would have bought it.'

'Yeah but maybe he's still browsing for me and he hasn't decided?' I asked not really sure what to do.

'Okay, we'll follow him again but if something doesn't come up in fifteen minutes then we are coming back for it deal?' she said putting her hand out for a shake.

I shaked on it and out we went. He didn't go far, into the video game store he went. He browsed around a bit more. Then he went into a lingerie shop. We hovered outside waiting for him to come out but he took quite a while. Could this be my present? I looked away as he came out. I really wanted to be surprised on my gift.

Once he was done shopping we follow him to the exit and he left. We sighed with relief and bolted for the Typo store. I hovered over it for another minute or two.

Meg encourages me, 'Look get this because on the first page you can start it off and put the rose in it. Then right an opening and it would be the most romantic thing ever.'

I nodded, 'All right lets get it, are you getting him anything?'

She laughed, 'Ha, I'm not that close to him. If anything he doesn't really like me. He just puts up with me. So another box of Favourites for him this year.'

I made the purchase and on our way we went. I stopped at the Coles and picked up some wrapping paper. Meg grabbed her chocolates for her dad and saved the flowers for Christmas eve to purchase. We went home and the night breezed by real fast. Meg and I laminated the flower and we wrote drafts. I didn't have a clue what to write and Meg kept telling me to dig down.

I tried one last time and finally I got it. I read it aloud to Meg, 'Dear Kale, I've been looking everywhere to find the perfect gift and I think I've got it right here. This book will contain all the travelling we'll do over the years. Even the adventures to complete on your own. For the ones with me I know we will have the best of times because I'll be with you. With all my heart Jamie.'

I swear I saw a tear run down Meg's face, 'That is just to perfect, now do we want to copy it or dress-up the paper and stick on there?'

'It would probably look better on the piece of paper. Should we laminate it too?'

'Its the only way to last forever. My gosh your kids are going to enjoy this book.' She said smiling with excitement.

I looked at her, 'To early to think of kids Meg.'

'I know but I can't wait to be an Aunty. Are you sure you don't want them early. I can make it happen?'

'I bet you can, but please don't not stable for it. Hey by the way did you want to move into my room while I'm away? I mean my parents should be okay with it but I figured it gets you out of your foster care and you can spend time looking for your own place?'

She thought on it for a moment as she got dressed for bed, 'Well I would still get government money so I don't see why not. Hey what if we looked for a place together when you got back? Rent would be cheaper and Kale can move in too when he's ready?'

I liked that idea, 'Sounds good to me but I don't want to worry about it to much. Are you still going to uni to study art?'

'Yeah, I want to open up my own tattoo business so I might start with a business degree and then start the business while studying fine arts. Then I'll become the artist I have always dreamed.'

As we got into bed, I thought about her business idea and forgot what I wanted to do with my life. As we went to sleep I thought about it more and more. Nothing came to me.