“So what’s next on the list?” said mom as we exited the store. “Oh yea, your father’s anniversary gift. What do you think I should get him?”
Only then did I remember the conversation I had with dad on the previous night. I needed to get her a gift! Fast! And, it obviously needed to be done in secret. “Dad’s always appreciated a nice watch.”
“He has, hasn’t he?”
“Yea, anyway, mom, I’m really craving for a smoke right now.” I raised my hand and checked the time on my watch. “I’ll meet up with you in about…ten to fifteen minutes.”
“Nicholas, when are you gonna kick that nasty habit of yours?” Mom frowned.
“I know, I know. I’m a bad egg. Soon, I promise.” I kissed her on the cheek and went off in my own direction.
My mind was in a frantic state as I walked around the large, slightly crowded mall, trying to think of a great gift idea. Why didn’t I think about what I was gonna get her last night? My head turned left and right. How about a pair of shoes? Nah, mom’s got about a thousand of those. Flowers? Nah, that’s just weak. Chocolates? No, it’s not Valentine’s Day!
I let out a sigh and sat down on a long wide wooden bench, placed between two small palm trees and a large lit up map of the mall. Why am I the one who has to do this? She’s not my wife. I shrugged. Maybe I’ll come up with an idea after I get some nicotine into my system.
“Yea.” I nodded, raised my head and saw the sight of the answer I’d been trying to find. A jewellery store! I sprung to my feet. Why didn’t I think of it before? Mom loves jewellery.
I walked into the large, well lit, sparkling clean store and started browsing through the cased items on display. They had just about everything in there; chains, watches, rings, bracelets, earrings, pearl necklaces-jewellery of every kind. I was truly spoilt for choice.
“What you looking for, mister lovely-brown-eyes?” asked a woman, who looked like she was in her late forties, as I passed through the ring section. Moreover, she was dressed in the store’s navy blue uniform and had short curly blonde hair. “An engagement ring for your girlfriend? Or should I say…soon to be fiancé.” She winked.
“No.” I chuckled. “I’m looking for an anniversary gift for my mom.”
“You’re married to your mom?” The saleswoman looked stunned!
“No. No. I’m…I’m doing it-”
“Relax. I’m only pulling your leg, dear.” She giggled. “Trust a man to make his son buy an anniversary gift for him. How much are you looking to spend?”
“Well, he said ‘money’s no object’.”
The saleswoman took me through all the pieces she thought my mom would die for. And I ended up choosing a beautiful diamond necklace-you know how the old adage goes; diamonds are a girl’s best friend. So how could it have been a bad decision? In addition to the necklace, it came in a dark blue suede case.
And I paid for the pricey piece of jewellery by using the card which dad advised me to use the night before. Once I placed mom’s gift into the bag it came with, I thanked the saleswoman for her services and made my exit. I would’ve given her a nice tip if she was a waitress, but that wasn’t the case.