Late Christmas Gift

Ramona waited at the railing for Miles, holding in one hand a little bag while the other held the fence. With her mother's help, she had made cookies to give Miles for Christmas. She hadn’t anticipated receiving a gift from Miles and figured cookies would be good gift.

"You're here early," commented Miles as he approached, stepping up to take ahold of her arm and lead her across the slippery parking lot. Before they could start walking, Ramona thrust out her free hand, presenting the small bag.

"Merry Christmas!" She yelled, or spoke regularly as her quiet tone. She looked over to see Miles quite surprised by the gesture. He took the small bag with his free hand, palming it in the one linking him and Ramona together. He then opened it with his free hand to look at the contents.

"I didn’t expect the present, which I like a lot, and the girls’ said guys like food because I didn’t really know what to get other than something about animals, but I wasn’t sure what about animals I should get." She continued to ramble as he pulled out a cookie.

"So I thought Christmas cookies would be a good idea. Mama said they tasted good, so they should be safe to eat. I don't cook much. Luckily, parfaits are easy to make at Tormino's, but…" she paused her whispered rambles as Miles took a bite of cookie. His face went from contemplative to pure joy as he finished it, watching Ramona's face match his.

"These are delicious. Thank you, Ramona." He helped himself to another before tying the bag up and leading her across the parking lot. He didn't notice the way Ramona's face had turned red or the way her free hand fiddled with the necklace he had given her.

They made it inside the restaurant, finding Anita having her break in the breakroom.

"Hello," she greeted with a smile, holding her hands around a teacup.

"It's getting colder out there," commented Miles as he and Ramona separated. Anita looked out to see a light snowfall.

"Looks like it; we'll probably get a white New Year's."

"That will be nice."

The high school students retreated to their changing rooms, leaving Anita alone with her cup.

"Hey."

Anita looked up at the voice, startled to see Shasta at the entrance of the breakroom.

"Shasta, is it time for your break?"

"No, well, not yet, unless you're ready to go back to work."

"I'm almost done with this cup, so a few more minutes."

"Right, okay."

Shasta retreated, only to return and head for the boys’ locker room. Anita could hear a scuffle going on inside the room before Shasta to emerge with a poorly wrapped package.

"Here." He set the package on the table in front of her. "I'm not the best at wrapping," he grumbled.

Anita smiled as she drank the last of her tea. Shasta sat down as she opened the package. Inside the wrapping paper were two black leather gloves.

"Winter is getting colder, don't want you to hurt your soul mark," he grumbled. He glanced over to see Anita lit up like a Christmas angel.

"Thank you, Shasta!" She slipped on the gloves, finding that the right fit for her hands.

Shasta smiled as she admired her hands in her new gloves until her expression dropped.

"But I don't have a present for you," she lamented.

"It's fine, I wasn't expecting one anyway." He grew quiet with his next words. "It's also an apology for the other day."

Anita's frown turned to a soft smile.

"And I'm sorry too. It was insensitive of me to say those things. I'm sure you'll find your soulmate.”

“Hopefully," he mumbled, sinking into his chair. Anita stood up, taking off the gloves and setting them on the table, taking her teacup.

"I know you will. Despite your harshness, you're not that bad after all. I'm sure your soulmate will see that."

Anita flitted back off to work, her cup in hand. Shasta sinking lower into his seat. Ramona and Miles both appeared from their changing rooms, ready for work.

"My condolences," offered Miles as they both left the breakroom, leaving Shasta to lament his choice of love interest.