Luck or Fate?

He's Coming Back to Me

The week passed incredibly slow, but it was finally Saturday. I made some waffles for breakfast and set them on the table. Henry took a waffle from the pile and drizzled syrup over the top. "Thanks for making waffles, Mom."

"You're welcome." I say, sitting down across from him. "I know that finals can be stressful, and I just thought this might cheer you up."

He takes a deep breath. "Yeah."

"Anyway, did you finish up Claire's present?" I ask.

"Yeah. I just need to wrap it and then I'll be able to give it to her next weekend."

"I can help you with the wrapping." I offer.

"Thanks, Mom."

After breakfast, I tell Henry I'm going out shopping. Which is true. I'm going Christmas shopping, but he doesn't have to know that.

I drive downtown and go into Target. After looking around for about an hour, I find a new video game and a pair of dressy shoes for Henry (for, you know, dates and stuff), perfume and a dress for Regina, a bottle of wine and a bow tie for Robin, and a box of tea and a mug for Belle. I purchase the presents and walk back outside.

It's a pretty brisk day and there's a layer of frost on the ground. I put the bags in my car and then walk down Times Square. I pass a bunch of stores with Christmas decorations and sales. Most people are walking together with their families, carrying shopping bags. I walk past a mother and her daughter, who is wearing a bright yellow dress that matches her blue eyes and blonde curls. She's holding her mother's hand and swinging it back and forth, giggling. She sees me and waves, and I can't help smiling and waving back. The mother smiles at me with gratitude and I nod back.

The little girl stays in my mind until I reach Swarovski. I open the door and look down at the long display table, looking for the perfect one. The sales clerk comes over and sees me searching. "Hello. Can I help you with anything?"

"Well, I was wondering if you have a little swan. Something tiny."

"I believe we do." He leads me over to the other end of the display table and takes out a glass swan. It's about the size of my fist, with different colors on its wings. "Wow." I say. "Do you have anything smaller?"

"Smaller than this? I don't think so." He says.

I look down at the display and see something in the back. "What about that?" I ask.

"Oh." He takes it out and sets it down on the table. It is a swan, but this one is much smaller and mostly black and white. "Aww, it's so adorable." I say, picking it up and examining it in my fingers. "How much is it?"

"This one is $99."

"For this little thing?"

"If you would like, I can give you a discount on the larger one. Only $200!"

"No thank you." I say. "I'll get the smaller one."

I pay and request a gift wrap. "Okay, that'll be an extra $5. Is that all right?" He asks me.

"Actually it's okay. I'll wrap it myself." I say, taking the box.

"Okay. Please come back soon!" He says.

I rush out of there and walk back to my car. I get home just in time for lunch. I open the door quietly and start making grilled cheese sandwiches. When I'm finished cooking them, I knock on Henry's door. "Hey, time for lunch." I say.