A light snow fell that morning as I placed the typewriter in the passenger seat. I made a note to call my sister again to make sure she put the Franklin family on a protected list. If Dave was concerned about how far they’d go, I could at least take the steps to keep them safe as a just in case precaution.
Esther, Kelly, and I stood by my car. Kelly nodded at me. “You did good.”
“So did you.” I plucked a few white cat hairs from her coat, and she slapped my hand away.
“I’m going to head home,” she said.
“Not so fast.”
“Oh, here we go,” she said. “You’re going to lecture me about having Christmas spirit and all that goes with it.”
“Wrong. I think you saw the meaning of Christmas in Stan’s eyes when he saw his wife and daughter and was able to finally touch them after ten long years.”
“Then what do you want? It’s cold out here.”
“You don’t feel the cold, Kelly.”
“I can sense it.”
I moved to the back of my car and popped the hatch. A long box wrapped in red paper with green Christmas trees leaned in the trunk space. I pulled it out and handed it to her.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a present, of course. Merry Christmas.”
“It’s still Christmas Eve.”
“So?”
“I didn’t get you anything.”
“That’s fine. Open it.”
She frowned. “You shouldn’t have bought anything for me, Jonathan. I am not in the Christmas spirit.”
“Even after what we witnessed?” I asked.
“Absolutely,” Esther said. “Open it!”
Kelly hesitated, then tore the paper off the box. She wadded the wrapping paper and tossed it in my car. “My gift to you,” she said.
I laughed.
She opened the box to reveal a CAS Hanwei katana with battle wrapped leather, high carbon steel, and an edge that would withstand a serious sword fight. She pulled the blade from the scabbard, which was lacquered with inlaid brass cherry blossom flowers.
“Oh, this is nicely balanced.”
“Merry Christmas, Kelly.”
She smiled at me as she held the blade with reverence. “Now this is the true spirit of Christmas.”
Esther shook her head. “She’s all wet,” Esther said. “The true spirit of Christmas is getting to spend time with the people I love.”
I nodded. “Well said, Esther.”
“What did she say?”
“Just agree with her, Kelly. It’s Christmas.”
She gave me a reluctant smile. Then she embraced me. “I lied about the gift,” she said.
“You don’t like the sword?”
“About not getting one for you.” She reached into her pocket and handed me a small box wrapped in gold paper. A snowman sticker read, To Jonathan, From Kelly. “This is the first time I’ve ever bought anyone a Christmas present so if you don’t like it, I’m going to cut off your head.”
I smiled. “Silly warrior,” I said. “Spending the holiday with you is all I want for Christmas.”
“I’m serious, Jonathan. You’d better like it.”
I opened the box, smiled at the throwing stars, and told her the truth. “I love it.”
“In that case, I shall permit you to live for another year.”
I took one last look at the Franklin house.
Esther nodded. “I know what you’re thinking,” she said. “This is the best Christmas ever.”