All About Timing

Chapter Eighteen

"Baby, this was left on the front porch for you," Mom shows me to a tall box that is wrapped neatly in the living room. I furrow my eyebrows, confused as I approach it.

That's when I pulled off the card from the box and opened it.

'Ari,

I would of loved to see your reaction when you opened this box but the family and I went to Texas to visit your Tia's family for Christmas. I hope this gets there on time and if it doesn't I'm sorry.

Just know that I kept this for a long time but I know that you deserve it more than I do.

I love you so much mija and maybe you can come down for a weekend soon.

Love Uncle Vince and the Family

Merry Christmas'

I smile before I open the box, pulling out a guitar case and another big box in it.

I open the case and I feel my tears threatening to fall as I stare at the guitar that's not just any guitar.

It's my dad's guitar.

I pull out the guitar, running my fingers over the roses that were engraved onto it. Turning it over to see my 'Victor S. De Leon' engraved on the back and then smiling when I see 'Aryn' written horribly on the back in marker on it.

"What's that baby?" Mom question sitting next to me on the couch.

"It's- it's my dad's favorite guitar. It's the one he always used when I was younger," I whisper not taking my eyes off of it.

"You play guitar too?" Momma questioned in amazement.

"Yeah Momma I do," I whisper before setting it softly back into the case that was drawn all over. Some in crayon and others in marker, knowing well I used to draw on his guitar case all the time.

I open the next box and in it was a sweatshirt, a flannel, and a shirt. I picked up the flannel and took a deep breath, instantly remember my dad wearing this shirt. After many years, it faintly smelling like him.

That's when I heard a something fall and my eyes land on his compass. I look at the device and see 'De Leon' engraved in cursive before I open it, seeing a very old picture of my dad and me in it.

"Wow you look so much like him," Mom tells me looking at the picture as well.

Momma reaches in and lifts up a small book, she opens it and I look over seeing nothing but pictures of my dad and I.

"I miss him," I whisper to no one in particular. I feel Mom wrap her arm around me, kissing my forehead.

"He would have been so proud of you Aryn, you're an amazing daughter," Mom tells me truthfully causing me to almost cry.

This has to be my top four favorite gifts I got this year.

---

"Where are you taking Sadie on your date?" Momma questions as I look myself over in the mirror. I have a plain black long sleeve on with black shorts and high black and white socks with my converse, my hair is straightened and I went ahead and put my contacts on for my date.

"Just to the movies and out to eat, nothing to fancy but something I know she would like," I tell Momma as I walk over to her.

"Well you look beautiful baby, did you get her gift already?" Momma questioned as I nodded my head.