Anna’s dad gives her a nicely wrapped Christmas present and tells her she must not open it until the next morning. She doesn’t expect her sneaky stepmother Melanie to open it first. But Melanie’s desire for power sets off a chain of events she didn’t see coming… Would you like some good luck for Christmas?
I used to love Christmas the most. There are colorful lights, gingerbread cookies, and the fresh scent of pine trees. There are also presents full of treats. It all felt like magic.
But this year there was no magic.
A few months ago, my dad got married again, and his new wife Melanie made me feel like I didn’t belong in my own home. She wasn’t really bad, like some stepmothers on TV, but she could smile while putting your spirit and confidence down.
She asked Anna, “Is that what you’re wearing?” I’d think again, girl!” or “I’m sure your dad will treat you well again.” Doesn’t he always do that? Soon, it will end.
Even worse, everything she said had that sickly sweet tone that turned my stomach.
But I shut my mouth to protect my dad. I didn’t want to ruin his happiness because he looked so good. Mom died when I was seven years old, ten years ago. I told myself I could deal with Melanie for the sake of my dad.
For a long time, Dad and I were the only ones. If Melanie made him feel less alone, it might have been worth it.
I kept that in mind until a week before Christmas, making sure I was really trying for my dad’s sake.
After that, everything changed.
One night, my dad pulled me aside. He looked both serious and funny at the same time.
He smiled and held out a box with a red satin bow on it. “Anna,” he said. “Love, I have something really special planned for you this year.”
This box looked beautiful, like it came from a Hallmark movie. I couldn’t wait to take it out of the box.
“Dad, what is it?” I asked with wide eyes.
He smiled, but there was something else in his eyes, like a flash of something that couldn’t be read.
He told her, “Oh, it’s a surprise.” “But you need to make a promise.”
“Okay…What?”
He told her, “Don’t open it until Christmas morning.”
He carefully gave me the box as if it were fragile.
“Put it under the tree and think of me when you see it.” I have to be out of town for work, but I’ll call you first thing in the morning. I will get home as soon as I can.
I said yes.
“Okay, I’ll wait,” I said with a smile.
He told her, “Good girl.” “Love, this is important to me.”
His words were like a cloud. I thought he looked… sad for a second. Or maybe they are confused. He told me he loved me, kissed me on the cheek, and then went upstairs to pack.
He left for his trip the next morning, on Christmas Eve.
I got up early on Christmas morning, ready to start the day. After a while, I realized my dad wasn’t going to be there. Melanie and I would be the only ones at Christmas breakfast.
Melanie was making a lot of noise as she ate yogurt and cereal by scraping her spoon against her bowl.
I told myself, “Come on, Anna,” and I rolled out of bed. “Your dad’s present is ready for you!”
The only sound in the house was the faint sound of someone moving downstairs.
I moaned, “She’s awake.”
I crept out of bed and down the stairs, my socks making a quiet sound against the wood. It was important to me not to stand out. Melanie would probably hear me and say something rude first thing in the morning.
But Melanie was there, on her knees in front of the Christmas tree like she was on a mission. She had my gift, which my dad told me not to touch until Christmas morning.
She didn’t turn around but said, “Good morning, Anna.” Her voice was cold and bright. “Happy Holidays.”
“What do you want to do?” Melanie?” It hurt to breathe. “That’s my present!”
The box was held by Melanie like it was hers as she turned to face me.
She said, “Come on, girl,” with a small laugh, but her eyes were serious. “Your dad treats you great all the time.” Check to see if he finally learned something. I mean useful to me. Do you not mind? I don’t understand why you would.
“No, Melanie!” I screamed. “Please!” My dad told me not to open it until this morning, so I… Please, it’s important! “It has to be for me!”
“Oh, please,” she said, ignoring him with a well-kept hand. “Ana, you don’t deserve half of the things your dad gives you.” You behave like a sweet little angel when he’s around, but you’re really a spoiled brat.
Her words hurt me deeply, but she pulled on the red silk bow before I could answer. I held my breath.
“Melanie!” Stop! Please!”
She rolled her eyes and kept ripping through the gold paper. The sound filled the empty living room. She threw the paper away like it was trash and took the lid off.
She then stopped moving.
Her proud smile turned into a pale, terrified one.
I moved in closer to see what she was seeing in the box.
An envelope and a black silk ring box were inside. On the front, her name was written in Dad’s clear handwriting.
She picked up the envelope with shaking hands. She messed around with the flap and took the letter out. I saw her read with her mouth shaking.
She read out loud, her voice shaking, “Melanie.” “If you’re reading this, you did exactly what I thought you would.” I heard what you were saying to your sister last week. What you should do about taking Anna’s gift. I almost told you I was wrong at that time, but I wanted to give you a chance. Instead, you proved everything I was afraid of.
She looked up at me, and her face was as white as a ghost.
“Is that it?” Is there something else?” I asked, but I couldn’t stop the words from coming out.
She quickly looked back at the page and nodded.
“You’ve treated my daughter badly, and now you’ve gone too far.” Take this as my official goodbye. “Merry Christmas.”
The letter hurt her so much that she threw it away. She opened the satin box with shaky hands. It had her engagement ring in it. The ring that Dad used to ask her to marry him.
The ring wasn’t really Melanie’s, though. It was something that my grandma owned and that I had always wanted. I didn’t think it would have been mine, though, since my dad had used it to propose to Melanie.
At any time.
There were no Christmas songs playing in the background; only her shaky breaths could be heard. I stood there frozen, torn between shock and a strange, quiet happiness.
The front door then opened.
Melanie turned around.
“Greg?”
“Dad!”
Dad held his backpack bag out in front of the door. He seemed too calm. Like someone who knew what was going to happen or what they were walking into.
As planned. Of course it had. He had a whole letter written. When did he start to notice how Melanie treated me, though? I worked really hard to make sure he hadn’t seen our problems.
She said, “I thought you were on a business trip.”
He just said, “I wasn’t.”
After going inside, he shut the door behind him.
“I stayed close.” I had to check it out myself. I knew that you were making Anna feel bad about herself. Melanie, I’ve been watching and hearing for a while now. I thought you would feel better and that maybe things were just hard for you. that you were still getting used to being a parent.
She told him, “Greg, it’s not what it looks like.”
“Oh, Melanie, that’s exactly what it looks like,” Dad said in a sharp voice. “Hey Melanie, I gave you a chance. I had faith that you would do the right thing. But you showed me I was wrong.
She said in a whisper, “Please.” “I didn’t mean…” Greg, I really like that ring.
“Yes, but Anna also loves it.” My mom told me that Anna had always hoped for it. Stop right now. You earned my trust as a partner. To look after Anna as a mom. But you’ve only shown greed and violence instead. This was the last test, and you failed it.
Melanie looked at me like I was to blame for this. She tried to talk with her face scrunched up, but Dad had already turned away from her.
He spoke in a cool voice again and said, “Pack your things.” “Today you’re leaving.”
That afternoon, Melanie left. She dragged her bag out the door with the style of a storm cloud. Something about mistakes and how bad Dad was being was all she could say.
“This is what will kill you, Greg.” “No one can love you and put up with your child at the same time.”
He told her, “Just leave.”
I didn’t bother to answer. I wanted him to be the only one to make this choice.
It was peaceful in the house for the first time in months when it was quiet again.
My dad and I spent the rest of Christmas with each other. We were the only ones there. We watched old Christmas movies, drank hot chocolate, and made a big stack of pancakes with extra crispy bacon. We laughed about how I used to sneak peeks at my presents as a child.
After dark, when the fire was out and the house was cozy and warm again, my dad gave me another wrapped present.
It was yet another gold box. The ring box and another letter, this one with my name on it, were inside.
I took my time opening it.
Anna, I love you so much. I hope that this Christmas is the start of something new for both of us. I love you a lot. – Dad.
I told my dad, “I’m sorry.”
He looked up from his seat on the couch and asked, “Whatever for?”
“For everything with Melanie. I hoped that soon I’d be off to college and you wouldn’t have to deal with life without me. I only wanted you to be pleased.
He said, “I’m happy, sweetheart.” “This ring is yours now.” Someone good will come along one day and slide it on your finger. Then your forever will begin. Melanie wasn’t right for me.