The Present

a small story with a deeper meaning within it.

The snow fell lightly on the window of their small apartment. The heater was set on ‘toasty’ and the rooms were full of light on this night. Christmas Eve. James and she were a strange couple. They had their first real date on Christmas Eve, so they had a funny tradition of giving their presents a night early. She was sure that her present would blow his gift away this year. Last year he’d won their unspoken competition by buying her a stunning diamond necklace, but the golden watch she’d bought him this year (a rather costly one at that) would surely melt his heart. James walked from the kitchen with two mugs of hot chocolate. They sat across from each other in the fire light, looking at each other, slight smirks on both their faces. “He’s confident,” She thought. “But nervous too, he even looks a bit pale.” without a moment to spare, she reached under the tree and grabbed his present, beautifully wrapped in a heart-covered wrapping paper with a velvet red bow. He grasped the present with slightly shaky hands. She watched in joy as he opened the gift. He removed the golden watch, holding it up to the light.

“Wow,” he seemed to whisper. “You know exactly how to get to me, don’t you?” He smiled widely at her.

“Don’t worry,” She said with a smirk.  “I’m sure your gift is a close second.” She smiled jokingly at him, confident that she was the better one in this relationship. But then, James reached into his pocket and handed her a small parcel about twice the size of her fist. She opened it slowly. tears began to form in her eyes as she looked up to him. His soft smile seemed to glow dimly in the gentle light of the room. She clasped her hand over her mouth as he explained.

“I couldn’t get you out of my mind at all this week,” He began. “I couldn’t even think about gifts, much less pick out the perfect one. So i got you this… i hope you like it. Its small and fragile, and i’ll admit has had to be put back together more than once… but its all i thought to get you this Christmas.”

She dropped the box, practically flinging herself into his arms, embracing him tighter than she ever dreamed possible. A small thumping sound came from the box, making a steady rhythm. The small red clump of flesh within still yet beat.

She put her hand upon his chest. There truly was nothing. No movement within. When she looked disbelievingly at him, he pulled down his shirt, revealing a long, slender scar on the left side of his chest. He smiled weakly. “Merry Christmas, love.”

Author's Note

i know this can't really happen! its a piece of symbolism, and i hope you can see it as such :)

Reviews

[Marie]

THis is absolutely amazing. I honestly am at a loss for words.

It reminds me of a poem I read once long ago...I believe the last line was "...ei offered his riddled heart..."