Gabe carries a few groceries in his basket to the front at Clauson’s and when he sees Ben, he slips out of the line he’s standing in so he can receive one of Ben’s notes. Each customer in front of him rummages through their bags as they exit and read notes like:
Christmas has to live in your heart. If it doesn’t, it’s just another day. Merry Christmas, Ben
Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year! Hope it’s wonderful for you, Ben
Scrooge said, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” That’s good advice for all of us! Merry Christmas, Ben
As Gabe puts his groceries on the conveyor belt, he looks at Ben and smiles.
“Hello, Gabe,” Ben says, reaching for the groceries.
“Hi, Ben! I moved over into this line so I can get one of your notes.”
“I hear that people do that a lot,” Ben says. The cashier nods, smiling in agreement. “How’s Amy? You still love her, right?”
Gabe smiles as he pays. “I’d really like to know how you knew that.”
Ben shrugs, handing him the two bags of groceries. “When you’re around people as much as I am you become an expert.” The cashier and Gabe laugh together. “You looked at Amy like my dad looks at my mom. Or how Travis looks at Lauren or how Mr. Marshall looks at Miss Glory. It was obvious,” he says, reaching for the next customer’s groceries.
Gabe pats Ben on the shoulder and says, “Have a great day, Ben. You sure make it awfully good for lots of other people.”
He slides behind the steering wheel of his truck and sets the groceries on the passenger seat, reaching into one bag and then the other before finding the note. It’s on a red piece of paper, shaped like a star, and reads, Love came at Christmas and is here to stay. Merry Christmas, Ben.
Gabe sticks the note inside his pocket and drives to Pender’s Fine Jewelry on the town square, opposite Betty’s and across the street from the library. Gabe zips up his coat as he gets out of his truck and runs inside the store. “Anything we can help you find?” a woman polishing a glass case asks.
“Looking for a ring,” he says.