Christmas Gift

It was late at night. The moon was shining bright outside of the stained glass windows. It shone through and made the wooden pews and marble alter glow. Wreaths and garlands and bows looked even more beautiful than they had an hour ago in the artificial lights during the service. Everyone had already left to join their families for a celebration and to exchange a few gifts.

Only four girls were left. They had been friends for years and were very close. Three were blondes, their hair in ponytails, with blue eyes. The other had short brown hair and green eyes. They all sat silently in a pew on the right side of the church. They were getting cold and wanted to go home, but the blondes had made a promise. They would stay and wait. The brunette had someone she wanted them to meet. They were supposed to see him and then go home.

However, the church was growing colder. Their families would worry if they stayed any longer. The blondes said goodbye to their friend and left.

She sat there, silent and waiting. She didn’t pay attention to the time. She had told her family that she was going to see a friend and she would meet them at home after she was done. They hadn’t liked the idea at all. It was their tradition of spending this night together every year. They had let her go on one condition. She could go just as long as she didn’t see ‘that boy’ as they called him.

She had never seen what was wrong with him. He was kind and thoughtful. He did well in school and could always make her laugh. He was there whenever she needed someone and could always be trusted to keep things private. She could tell him anything and he would never judge her. He was her best friend and big brother, her mentor and her confidante. He was her other half. Yes, he had made some mistakes in the past, but he had accepted the punishment willingly, without protest, knowing he had earned it.

She looked at her watch in dismay. He was supposed to have met her over two hours ago. He had promised he would be there. She sighed and took a deep breath, trying to hold the tears back. She stood up and turned to leave. She looked up and there he was. He had come, just as he had promised. He knew he didn’t have to explain or ask for forgiveness. He knew she would forgive him. She always did. She knew what things were like for him and understood. His parents didn’t approve of her, but for a very different reason.

He stood in the middle of the aisle, front of the alter, and watched her as she made her way toward him. She reached him and he took her hand. She looked into his eyes and saw the one thing she had never been able to find before, total and complete acceptance. He neither expected nor wanted her to change. She felt the same way about him and he knew that.

He looked at her and slowly put his arm around her. She put hers around him. He lowered his head to meet hers. When they broke apart she laid her head on his shoulder and they held each other for what seemed like forever.

She loosened her hold, as did he, and they walked down the aisle. They stepped out the doors to the sidewalk. She was holding his hand. They slowly let go and began to walk their separate ways.