I woke up at five thirty, stuffed the bird, and had him in the oven by six o'clock. There really wasn't much to do until about an hour or so before we would eat, so I went back to bed hoping for a few hours of shut eye. After about an hour, I figured this wouldn't work. I got up, showered, threw on some Christmas music, and vacuumed. The phone rang around nine, and it was Kim, "We'll be there at ten, if that's okay. We have a few presents for you. I thought you could open them before dinner."
"Ten is fine," I replied. "I have a few gifts for you also."
I lit the fire and brought in a few more logs. I had an envelope for Kim, and placed it on the bough of the tree along with a couple Christmas cards I had for her and her mother. I was opening the cranberry sauce when she drove up in the Jeep. I watched as Kim and her mom climbed the front stairs.
Upon opening the door, I extended my hand to Kim's mom. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Poulan." She pushed my hand aside and gave me a hug. "Merry Christmas to you, Ken, and please, call me Ellen." She stepped inside and stopped, "Oh my, this is lovely," She exclaimed, looking over the entire room. "Kim was right behind her with an armful of gifts.
"Mom, will you just go in! I have to use the bathroom." I took Ellen's coat, while Kim raced down the hallway.
"How was your ride over?" I asked Ellen with a smile.
"You know, Ken, you didn't have to buy her a car," She said. "But I do want to say thank you. Kim was so excited when she came home last night. Now, don't tell her we had this conversation. She told me not to say anything."
I laughed. "I understand where you're coming from, Ellen, but she's going to need a car- and I wanted to help out."
Ellen nodded her approval. "Thank you. It was a nice thing to do."
Kim made it out of the bathroom and placed the presents under the tree. "Ahhhh! You even got the fire going," She cried. "I told you he knew all that outdoor stuff, mom."
I just shook my head. "The turkey's coming out in about an hour and then I'll start the vegetables, so we have some time to kill. Here's some crackers with cheese or dip. I have eggnog, brandy, wine, or........................"
"I'd love some eggnog with a little brandy in it if I could," injected Ellen.
I poured three eggnogs, and we all settled in. "Can we open the gifts now?" said Kim with puppy-dog eyes.
"Oh, I suppose," I said. "No wait..." I got out one of those Santa hats and put it on Kim's head. "You can't pass out gifts without wearing this." My God, she looked cuter than ever and I remember thinking, is there anything negative about this girl?
I got Kim's mom some warm sweatshirts. Two 1,000 piece puzzles, a box of candy, and a field guide of North American birds. Kim told me a lot of birds come to their feeder, but they have no idea what they are.
I opened Kim's gift and found a pair of binoculars. She knew I cracked the lens on mine, and I must have mentioned that I needed new ones. They were the ones I needed, but I didn't think she should have spent that kind of money. I also got two CDs and a book on hiking. "We can use it next summer. I crossed out all the trails that have rock slides," she laughed.
I got Kim lots of games, puzzles and joke gifts, but was hoping she'd be happy with the envelope I had placed on the tree. I knew I'd have to explain it. "It's an application to work at the veterinary clinic in Brookfield. It's just a formality. You already have the job if you want it, but you have to fill this out and call his office to confirm your interview on January 3rd. It's only six to eight weeks, but if you work out, he'll keep you on."
Kim stared at the application and then laughed, "Nobody's ever given me a job for Christmas."
"Are you interested?"
"You know I am." She replied with a nervous look.
"Then what's the matter?"
