The Gift of Christmas Present by Melody Carlson

their way through the holiday shoppers crowding the toy store, which was naturally having a big holiday sale, they finally located the right section. And after examining the various sets of Legos, Mrs. Daniels decided on the Extreme Tower building set. It had been Christine’s recommendation, although she hadn’t realized it was so expensive, but Mrs. Daniels seemed happy to think it was her own idea. And Christine didn’t mind. She was just thankful to get out of there before Mrs. Daniels’s mood or energy level deteriorated.
    â€œDo you mind waiting while I bring the car around?” Christine asked.
    â€œI suppose I could sit on this bench in here,” she grumbled. “That way I can avoid the neurotic bell ringer outside.”
    Christine smiled. “That’s a good idea.” Then, carrying the bulky package, she jogged across the parking lot to the car.
    â€œI don’t know what I’ll do about Christmas shopping this year,” Mrs. Daniels said after she was seated comfortably back in the car.
    â€œYou buy Christmas presents?” Christine felt mildly surprised.
    Mrs. Daniels cackled. “Well, I may be a Scrooge about all the trappings and trimmings, but I’m not cheap when it comes to gifts. I certainly don’t want my grandchildren growing up thinking I was stingy.”
    â€œYou could shop online,” Christine suggested.
    â€œYou mean on a computer?”
    â€œYeah. It’s really pretty convenient. You can find anything.”
    â€œAnything?”
    â€œPretty much.” Christine waited in a long line of traffic trying to get out of the parking lot.
    â€œEven people?”
    â€œHuh?” Christine glanced over at Mrs. Daniels, who seemed to be deep in thought. “You want to buy your grandkids some people?”
    â€œNo, of course not. But I’ve heard you can use the Internet to locate people. Is that correct?”
    â€œSure. There are all kinds of ways to search.”
    â€œAnd you know how to use a computer?”
    â€œYeah. I’ve been using one for years.”
    â€œBut I don’t have a computer.”
    â€œYou could get one,” Christine suggested as she finally made her way onto the street.
    â€œI suppose I could. Of course, I wouldn’t have any idea of what to look for or where to go. Would you?”
    Christine pointed across the street to Computer World.“That’s a pretty good place right there. My roommate just got a great deal on a laptop.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    Before Christine could even finish her explanation, Mrs. Daniels interrupted. “That’s what I want too, Christine. Stop in there and let’s get one.”
    Christine grinned as she put on her turn signal. This woman might be a little grumpy, but she was certainly entertaining. Fortunately, Computer World was not as busy as the mall, and Christine found a space right in front.
    Mrs. Daniels leaned back her head and sighed. “The problem is that I’m exhausted from our toy shopping.”
    â€œDo you want to go home?”
    â€œNot without a computer.” Mrs. Daniels opened her purse and removed her Visa card. “Here, you go pick out the one you think will best suit me.”
    â€œAre you sure?”
    â€œOf course,” she snapped. “Just hurry.”
    Feeling a bit strange, Christine went in and purchased the same computer that Brianna had bragged about just a month ago. She was all ready for the high-school-age salesclerk to question her signature on Mrs. Daniels’s credit card, but he didn’t seem to notice or care. He was probably just happy to make such an easy sale. The store didn’t appear overly busy, and she suspected the salesclerks worked on commission.
    â€œMerry Christmas!” he yelled as she carried the box out the door.
    â€œMerry Christmas,” she called back.
    Mrs. Daniels was fast asleep and snoring quietly when Christine opened the car