The Perfect Gift - A Little Fiction by Lyssa Medana #HazardousToYourSanity
He had to find her the perfect Christmas gift. His wife was an angel who deserved the absolute best. That meant that he needed to show how much he loved her. She had always got him the perfect gifts. In the past he had unwrapped signed books from his favourite authors, tickets for films he wanted to see, his favourite cologne and aged single malt whiskey. They had always been exactly what he yearned for. He wanted to do the same for her.
It wasn’t just because she bought the perfect presents. She brought so much light into his life. She remembered his favourite foods, his favourite music and made sure that there was always a fresh glass of water on his bedside cabinet every night. She had talked about wanting some books and perfume, but that wasn’t the right present. The perfect present was jewellery and that’s what he was going to get for his perfect wife.
She knew he would be thrilled by the gift of a first edition Kingsley Amis. Now it was her turn to open her present from him. She composed herself. The outside may technically be badly wrapped in gold paper printed with robins but in reality it was swathed with layer on layer of love. She had to take the love and not worry about the contents. His track record wasn’t good, but maybe this year he would have read her list of suggestions. She eased back the crumpled sticky tape and pulled out a box from an expensive jeweller’s shop. She kept a smile on her face, but her heart sank.
“I went to a few different jewellers,” he said. “I wanted to get you something perfect.”
“You shouldn’t have,” she said with complete honesty.
“I wanted to,” he said. “You always get me wonderful things. I wanted to get you something special to show how much I love you. Go on – open it!”
She carefully opened the box. “How lovely,” she said. Objectively the earrings and chain looked expensive and beautifully made. She ran a careful finger over the chain. “It’s so delicate.” She never wore silver and the colour of the stones reminded her of Pepto Bismol. “I love it!” She smiled at him, her eyes alight with love. “Help me fasten this chain, please.”
“I loved the little key at the end,” he said. “You hold the key to my heart.”
“That’s so sweet,” she said, kissing him.
“And it’s modelled on a piece from the court of Louis XIV,” he added. “So it’s not antique, but it’s sort of antique. And I know that you love history.”
As he fastened the necklace around her neck, she felt the love flow from him. “It’s quite perfect,” she said, and meant it with all of her heart.
