Good Enough(30)
Like clockwork Jameson is at the house within thirty minutes. I open the front door to let him in and while everyone kept up their conversations they were a lot quieter with their eyes on Jameson. I’m not sure if it was because he was the new boyfriend or if it was the enormous black garbage bag in his hand.
He wasn’t shy at all. He had a big smile on his face, waved hello to everyone and wished them all a ‘Merry Christmas’. I just stood there, smiled and dragged him by his hand down the hallway to my bedroom.
“So this is your room?”
“Yep, small huh?”
“You still have a twin bed?”
“Yep, small huh?”
“Is that all you’re going to say or do I get a Merry Christmas and a kiss?” he says while slowly stepping closer to me with the most adorable yet devilish grin on his face.
“Well that depends on if you’ll open your present first or not.” I say, coyly.
“Kiss first.”
He smashes his lips to mine without even offering me the opportunity to think, let alone respond. His lips are cold from the cool winter air but sweet as if he was eating Christmas delicacies before he came here. It’s stimulating, like an Andes Mint, icy cool from the mint and sweet from the chocolate.
“Mmm. That was a very tasty kiss, Mr. Michaels,” I say, licking my lips.
“I had some sweets at Grandma’s before I left.”
“Sit,” I say, pointing to my bed.
“Damn Hillary. You sleep on this?”
“Yes.” My head drops down, I feel embarrassed.
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to make fun of you or anything but I can feel the springs in my ass. How long have you had this? Why don’t you buy a new one?”
“I don’t know, since I was a kid. All the mattresses I’ve seen are like hundreds of dollars. I have a car payment and rent here, so I don’t really have the spare money.”
“You never told me your parent’s charge you rent?”
“Not parents. Mom. Just my mom. My dad would never. Enough talking, open your present.”
I had no idea what to get him or how much to spend. All those questions you ask yourself when you’re in a new relationship, and that first big gift giving holiday arrives. What if you spend more than he does? Does that mean you like him more than he likes you? What if you get him something he doesn’t like?
“This is heavy? What it is?” he asks, looking quizzically at it.
“You have to open it silly.”
“I think I’m kind of scared to.”
“You ass! Just open it.” I slap on the arm, jokingly.
He carefully tears off the wrapping paper as if he plans on reusing it for another day. Pulls the folds on the box, takes out the tissue paper I used to make it look pretty and he smiles. SCORE!
“How did you know?” He pulls out the new floor mats for his Mustang.
“You were talking about how much you needed new floor mats one day. I pay attention. I hope these are okay. I wasn’t exactly sure what you wanted, so I saved the receipt if you want to exchange them.”
“No, not at all. These are perfect. Thank you.” He grins up at me, giddy.
“Alright smart girl, your turn.”
“A big, black garbage bag, huh?” I say with a big smile so he knows I’m not disgusted and I’m just trying to be funny.
“Yeah, yeah. Well I didn’t know how to wrap it and couldn’t find a gift bag big enough.” He admits.
I don’t attempt to undo the triple knot he tied on the bag, so I just tear a hole in the side and rip each end apart. Once I get a look at the side of the gift I see turquoise fur and I smile. I turn my head to look at Jameson. He’s smiling. He knows I know what it is already without seeing the entire thing.
“Where on earth did you find this?”
“Take it out!” He orders.
“He’s so heavy!”
I finish tearing apart the rest of the bag and with both hands pull on to my lap the biggest turquoise stuffed animal I have ever seen. Sully from Monsters Inc., the first movie Jameson and I cuddled up together and watched over and over and over again two weeks ago. This is the best present. I can cuddle with it at night and pretend its Jameson when we aren’t together.
“Do you like it?”
“I love it! It’s so soft. Thank you.”
“What do you say we go out in the living room and be social?” Jameson suggests.
“I’ve been good at keeping guys away from my house and my parents in fear of, I don’t know what. Embarrassment? I don’t know. If you can handle the possible stares and questions?”
“I don’t scare easy. I’m quite a charmer, actually.”