The Gift

by Freida McFadden

Four years of college, tons of debt, and I need two jobs just to pay the bills. I should have majored in Not Being Poor.

Thats so real hel

I think she’s dead.

Well no shit sherlock

You would think that if you screw up as a waitress, the worst thing that could happen is somebody has a bad meal. But apparently not. Apparently, my neglect has killed this woman. She starved to death while waiting for one of us to bring her food.

Kinda depressing. And ur def fired

Or what if she doesn’t have a family? After all, she is all alone on Christmas Eve. What if nobody even cares that she died? That’s even more horrible.

Hurts less for others

Yes, I like to have electricity and heat in our apartment, but I’m not stealing from a dead woman. You have to draw the line somewhere, and that’s mine.

I'd take it while violently sobbing

“I’m telling you, every guy just wants a nice fork.”

Tell that to thanos

What’s the worst that could happen?

She could kidnapp you and seduce you

The next item she pulls off the shelf is a doll. This antique item is about two feet tall, wearing a pink dress with lace trim, with a bow tie around her waist.

Why does this lady have Annabelle

“How much is the watch chain, anyway?” Helga taps on a little white tag I hadn’t noticed that is stuck to the chain. I turn it over to look at the price, and my heart sinks. Oh well. I guess Justin isn’t getting a watch chain for Christmas.

Realll

“You have very beautiful hair, my dear.”

What the fyck

I am doing this. And I don’t want to stop her. I want to give Justin this gift. I want to make this sacrifice for him.

Dont all this for a man

“Do not be sad,” Helga says in that sage-like way of hers. “This is love. You sacrifice for him. He sacrifices for you.”

He will NOT sacrific for her. Hes probably cheating

The snow is coming down harder now, so I pick up my pace. Helga put the watch chain in a small box, and she even put a layer of gift wrapping on it. I am so ready to exchange gifts with Justin. He may have gotten me something great, but I bet this present will bring tears to his eyes. That watch means so much to him.

I bet its empty

there’s something brown smeared all over the counter that I hope to God is chocolate.

He wouldnt shit on the counter

“Oh!” He pulls it out, examining the silver links. “Wow, that’s amazing, Stella. Thank you.”

at least she didnt scam her

Justin couldn’t have looked more astonished if I told him I sold a kidney to buy the watch chain. His jaw looks like it’s about to unhinge.

valid reaction

“Hey, Stella!” he calls out. “Where are all the knives?” “In the drawer under the microwave!” I call back. “Are you sure? All I see in there is like ten thousand spoons.”

Maybe I should hit you with the spoons

Men are so helpless—I’m

Real

“The point is,” I say, “I sacrificed something important to me to get you a great present!”

Hair grows back. But id be pissed as well

And I can’t help but think that I bet a knife would make him stop talking. Maybe for good.

Yes girl

I pull out a pocket watch with a silver chain attached to it and hold it out to her.

Its his watch isnt it

You don’t know what it’s like to meet the man of your dreams, then meet his beautiful wife, she sobbed to me.

Wait is he justin?

She told me she has the child of this married man growing inside her.

What.