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An Early Gift

Riley and Maya were lying on the couch watching Red Planet Diaries. Riley had refilled the popcorn bowl while Maya refilled their mugs with hot chocolate. They sang the theme song and were about to watch episode 23 when the tv was shut off.

"Enough," Mrs. Matthews stood in front of the tv with the remote in her hand. "You girls have not moved from that couch in 2 days, Christmas is tomorrow, and I'm not even close to having everything ready."

They had planted themselves in front of the tv as soon as they got home from school on Friday. Now, it was nearing Sunday evening , Christmas Eve.

"Do you want help?" Riley offered.

"That would be appreciated," she pointed to their cabinet full of dishes for special occasions.

Riley started putting down the placemats and setting the table. Maya got up from the couch to help.

"No setting the table, Maya," Mrs. Matthews stopped her. "Go relax somewhere without a screen."

"It's only a minor concussion," Maya reminded her. "Things aren't too loud or too bright anymore."

Topanga gave her an 'I wasn't asking' look.

"Actually, I'm gonna head to bed early," Maya changed her mind.

"Okay, 6 o'clock wake up for presents tomorrow," Riley told her.

Maya nodded her head and disappeared up the stairs to Riley's room.

"How long do you think Maya is going to be staying with us?" Riley asked.

"Your father and I aren't sure," she looked at her daughter questioningly.

It was the first time Riley had inquired about Maya's stay, and she wondered where it was coming from.

"Have you two been having issues?"

"No, I just feel badly. Everyone should be able to spend the holidays with their family."

"Maya can't go back home, at least not anytime soon," Topanga told her daughter.

"I know, and that makes me feel even worse," Riley sighed. "I hate not being able to help her."

"You are helping her, by being her friend when she needs one."

"Mommy, why can't Maya go home?" Auggie walked into the kitchen.

Topanga stood there for a moment considering how to explain it to her son.

"Do you remember a few days ago when Maya came home hurt?" Topanga carefully asked her son.

He nodded his head of curls.

"Well, her mom and her husband are the ones that hurt her."

"Why would her mom hurt her?" he tilted his head in confusion.

"Sometimes people make mistakes and don't recognize the gifts that they have."

"Maya's a gift?" he grew more confused.

"You and Riley are special gifts to me and your dad because you are our children," she tried to explain. "Sometimes moms and dads don't recognize that their children are gifts and that's why Maya is staying with us."

Auggie slowly processed his mother's explanation. Luckily, he was mature for his age and seemed to understand.

"So Maya staying here is like an early Christmas present," he decided.

"Exactly," Topanga smiled.

Auggie went and put out milk and cookies for Santa before saying goodnight to everyone.

Riley hugged her mom and then entered her room. Maya was fast asleep on the air mattress. Riley quietly walked around the mattress to her own bed.

She read in her bed for a little bit. Riley could hear Maya tossing and turning, and occasionally, Maya would let out a quiet grumble of incoherent words.

Riley turned out the lights and slowly dozed  off.

Words: 578