Page 83 of A Good Book

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

WHAM!, “LAST CHRISTMAS”

Ben

What did you get Gabby for Christmas?

Tillie slidthe small dry erase board to me in the back seat of the car on our way to church for a Christmas Eve pageant. Mom thought the dry erase board was a great idea. My dad suggested I get a rope and tie it around my neck, but I declined that suggestion.

“Nothing,” I said.

Mom glanced back at me, eyes narrowed.

“Tillie asked what I got Gabby for Christmas.”

Mom held out her hand for the board and marker. Tillie handed them to her while shooting me a tight-lipped grin and wide eyes as if I were in trouble.

Gabby got you something. It’s not expensive. I just don’t want you to be caught off guard when she gives it to you.

Fantastic.

“What did she get me?”

Mom grinned, making a lock and key gesture at her mouth.

“I can’t hear you. And I suck at reading lips. So just say it. If I know what you’re saying, we’ll call it a Christmas miracle.”

Dad’s shoulders bounced with laughter.

Mom said something and glanced back at Tillie who smiled and eyed me.

“Jack-in-the-box?” I asked.

Mom laughed and shook her head.

“Hula hoop? Legos? Pine cones?”

Everyone laughed. I imagined it sounded nice.

“Hearing aids?”

The laughter died.

“Oh, come on. That was a good one,” I said.

She got you Madonna’s new album

Tillie smirked after writing her guess.

I rolled my eyes and grinned.

Mom read it and gave Tillie an uneasy look.

“It’s funny,” I said to my mom so she wouldn’t be mad at Tillie.

A Walkman

Tillie covered her mouth to hide her grin after her second guess.

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