Don't Forget to Write

A Surprise Gift

Later we met everybody at the pub to celebrate Christmas with friends before we all left the city to see our families. It was a quiet night, so while Bob worked behind the bar, Karen decorated the bar so that holly, thistle, lights, and ornaments hung from the ceiling, snowflakes clung to the walls and windows, and a fake Christmas tree stood tall in the corner with fake presents and a donation box for Toys for Tots underneath it. Bruno and I bought a LEGO model of Hogwarts, and put it on the top of the overflowing box.

All too soon, Bob yelled "LAST CALL" and poured us each a shot. He told Karen she was done for the day and poured her a shot too. Bob said "Merry Christmas to all you saints and sinners," and we took them down. Karen walked over to the fake tree, picked up one of the fake gifts, and handed it to me. "I got this for you," she said.

"Very funny."

"No, really."

Sure enough, on the wrapping paper it said "To Peter, From Karen". I heard Bruno Diane and Moose all exchange "ohhs" and "awws".

"Go ahead," Karen said, "Open it!"

Inside of the wrapping paper was a book, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. "Have you ever read it?" She asked.

"No, but I've heard that everyone should."

"It's the most important thing I've ever read. I think you'll find some wisdom in it. Maybe it'll help you figure out your next chapter in this life."

"Thanks, Karen. This is really sweet." I gave her a tight hug and she rested her head on my shoulder, the scent of lavender shampoo, filled my brain with memories - that kind of nostalgia that smacks you upside the head and drops you directly in the past. I was transported to that class so many months ago when I didn't even know her name and she had given me expresso beans to keep me awake after soccer. I could see everything; the notes on the board, the black shirt she was wearing, the blue ballpoint pen I was using.

We released and I was back in the present.

We finished our beers and said goodbye to Moose and Karen. Even though Mustafa didn't celebrate Christmas, he wished us all a happy one. Karen gave me a long hug and looked up at me. I thought she wanted to kiss me, but it was better that we didn't. I would always be a better friend than a lover, because great people in my life had taught me how to be a good friend, but nobody had taught me how to love.