Loving Cousin

When she slid over a flat square package, I had no idea what it could be. The paper came off to reveal a 2013 calendar with pictures of mugs full of steaming coffee. Puzzled and a little disappointed, I looked up at John, but he offered no explanation, only an enigmatic smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

With the present opening out of the way, we cooked breakfast together with Christmas music playing in the background. I made cinnamon rolls while Mom fried bacon and eggs and John set the table. After we ate, John plugged his tablet into our television and we had a long video call with Aunt Susan, Uncle Tom, Nate, and little Alex. Mom made phone calls to other relatives while John and I sat on the couch and read. All morning I tried to tease some kind of meaning out of his gift to me with no success.

Later, Mom played games on her new tablet until she started nodding off in the afternoon. John finally turned off his tablet and stuffed it in his backpack. "Aunt Lisa, Kate and I are