Chapter 10: This Christmas
He had never been so nervous about a gift. He had given it so much thought, and now here he was: ready to pick it out. Crap, he thought as he saw the sheer selection of jewelry to pick from. I think I should have consulted someone like Mom before going to the store. He tentatively approached a section of pendants when a saleswoman came from another counter.
"Hi. Do you need any help browsing our selection?" Her smile was genuine, and he almost sagged against the counter in relief.
"Yes. I'm- uh-" It sounds so stupid, trying to find something for such a complex woman.
"Is this for a relative or someone special?" He gave a nervous chuckle and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Someone special," he responded.
"Alright. Is she just a friend, or could she be more than a friend? Tell me about her." She leaned against the counter, quietly waiting for him to speak.
"I'm –uh– not sure. She's definitely a very good friend. She's practical, but she's got a mischievous streak in her. She's something else. I'm not looking for anything dainty. I want it to be simple, but make a statement." Oh, who am I kidding? This is a stupid idea. She'll think you want a relationship, and that's the last thing she needs right now: another emotional rollercoaster. He looked up and saw the saleswoman smiling at him.
"Well, a pendant won't do at all. That's too ostentatious. She doesn't seem the type to wear a bracelet, is she?" He shook his head to confirm her thoughts. "Well then, that leaves us with earrings and necklaces." He furrowed his brow. He hadn't thought of that. She led him over to a different stand. She then slipped behind the counter and brought out a few different earrings. He could actually picture her wearing them, though. But one pair in particular caught his eyes. They were a simple pair of pearl earrings. But before he could make a decision, the saleswoman began to bring out a few different necklaces. "Is she from around here?"
"No. She's a spacer. Her mom is Alliance."
"Hmm. Well, what about an Earth-centric shape? We have lovely Canadian leaves." He wrinkled his nose. There was no way Anna would go for that. "Ok, well." The woman thought for a moment. "I do have something." She spoke hesitantly, "It may be a little too much for her tastes, but it's worth a try." She reached behind the counter again. "What about this?"
She pulled out a simple chain, and a snowflake hung from it. There were a few stones set at the ends of each snowflake-branch as well as the middle. It was nothing terribly expensive, or so he hoped. It didn't call too much attention to itself, but it was still beautiful. A smile crept across his face.
"It's just right for her. How much is it?" Please don't let it be too expensive. The saleswoman smiled in response.
"Normally it's about a hundred credits." He almost winced. "But we're running a sale. And I can tack on another discount." He relaxed and gave a relieved grin.
"Thank you very much. I really appreciate your help." He handed her the credit chit gladly. She handed him the chit and the necklace, gift-wrapped, a few minutes later. He was grinning from one ear to the other. This may just be the best Christmas yet.
"You know, you probably could have charged him double." A second clerk walked up once he was out of hearing range.
"Yah, but we both remember being young and in love. And boy is he in it. Plus, how could you resist that face? He's gorgeous."
"Very true. And that ass." They both continue to watch him walk away. "I suppose it is worth it."
AN: I needed a 'dat ass' comment in there. It was needed. I'm not sorry about it. At all.