Page 33 of The Neighbor's Gift

Slowly pulling back, she looks deeply into my eyes. “Thank you for my gifts. You don’t know how much they mean to me, or what you have done for me.” She places her hands softly on my cheeks, not needing to say any more because we shared our fears in bed the other night.

“I promise to wear my tie, but this Christmas, you gave me so much more. My greatest gift this Christmas was you.” Softly I kiss her plump, beautiful lips, probably for the last time like this. “You taught me how to laugh again, but more importantly, how to live.” I place my lips on her forehead and pour all she made me feel into the final kiss goodbye.

The noise of the boys arguing who is carrying which bowl to the table has Poppy pushing up off my lap. We know our stolen moment is gone.

The day after Christmas day, has always been a pajama day in our house. So, I’m standing here at the window in my flannel pants and t-shirt, watching Poppy load her bag into the car while a light flutter of snow falls around her.

I don’t know why I’m torturing myself, saying goodbye last night was hard enough. It’s not that I’ll never see her again, but as she worked so hard to teach me, life moves on.

Our Christmas bubble has popped.

Watching the taillights of her car driving down the road, I find myself licking my lips, and there’s only one thought in my head.

Is that really the last time I will get to taste my sweet Poppy…?

Great question, Landon,

you’ll just have to wait and see.

To be continued.