The Birthday Gift
By,
Debralynn Fein
It
was my fortieth birthday. My mother, who had taken me out for lunch put a small
gift wrapped package on my plate. We were at Café Italiano, our favorite, Mom’s
and mine. The table was set beautifully with a linen tablecloth and napkins
folded ever so carefully, especially for this time of day. Strangely, the table
was set for three, even with just the two of us sitting there.
“Are
we expecting another guest, Mom?” I asked.
“No,”
she said smiling. “So happy to be able to celebrate your birthday with you,
just the two of us.”
I
smiled at that too
“Go
on, open your present,” Mom said excitedly.
“Don’t
you think we should look at the menu first?” I asked. “I’d rather prolong the
excitement.”
“Leaving
the best for last like when you and your brother were kids?” No, open it honey.
I can’t wait to see your face.”
I
slowly unwrapped the small package ever so carefully so I could preserve the
wrapping paper, a habit I had also acquired in childhood. Then, I opened the
small jewelry box.
“Your
wedding band from Dad.” I breathed. It was a beautiful platinum ring set in
diamonds in a most unusual pattern. I put the ring on my finger. “It’s
beautiful Mom,” I said getting up to kiss her. My parents had been divorced and
now my father had passed.
I
sat back down and distracted myself with the menu. As I did, I couldn’t help
but wonder what this gift means. Is Mom throwing away her last vestige of life
with Dad? Or what?”
“Order
anything you want,” Mom replied, “Let’s really celebrate.”
