The Perfect Gift by Joe Cosentino

Author:Joe Cosentino [Cosentino, Joe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63533-902-4
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2017-12-13T05:00:00+00:00

EARLY THE next morning, having left Paolo in bed and snoring softly, I managed to get in some research and eat breakfast before going to the gym. My hair still wet from the swimming pool as I headed into the street in my gray suit and cashmere coat, I realized that today was the last day to buy a gift for Paolo. The snow had stopped. I walked along the busy streets to the City Hall courtyard with its towering white and blue historic building and clock tower accompanied for the season by an elaborately trimmed Christmas tree, giant candy cane, and LOVE sign welcoming tourists and residents. Nearby, at Christmas Village, I joined other last-minute shoppers as we strolled past a woodwind orchestra, evergreens laden with twinkling lights, and an old-fashioned carousel filled with children giggling and waving on rising and falling horses. I smiled at the proud and thrilled faces of the parents waving back to their children.

Next, I perused the open wooden houses inhabited by eager but exhausted-looking merchants selling their holiday wares. As the scent of hot mulled apple cider, gingerbread, and bratwurst filled my nose, I admired the colored glass ornaments, bejeweled music boxes playing holiday classics, and the designer scarves and hats. While I found a number of possible gifts for Paolo, none were just right.

Walking on, I made my way through the crowds, traffic, and tall buildings to Holiday Market at Dilworth Park. I stopped to enjoy the children on skates whizzing or flailing along the ice while “White Christmas” appropriately played from the loudspeakers above them. Then I moved on to the white open tents stocked with masterful creations by local artisans. After watching artists paint portraits of delighted children, I sat in carved-wood furniture, ran my hands along handmade quilts and pillows, sniffed locally made soaps, held organic candles, and tasted five different kinds of caramel. In the booth all the way at the end of the row was a stunning jewelry box in the shape of a house. The chimney, windows, and door opened to Persian red velvet receptacles for rings, necklaces, and watches. I asked the middle-aged, bleary-eyed merchant, “Did you make this?”

The woman, all in blue, rubbed her gloved hands together. “My husband carved it out of cherry. The window shutters are made from amethyst, the doorknob is sapphire, and the chimney top is blue topaz. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. How much is it?” I held my breath.

“Two hundred and fifty dollars.”

My chin dropped to my chest. Then my hand reached for my credit card. When the transaction was complete, the merchant wrapped my gift. I thanked her, exchanged a “Happy Holidays,” and went on my way, hoping the extravagant gift would make Paolo happy and help fill the void in our marriage.

After arriving at my office, I met with my new client at the long table in the firm’s glass-enclosed conference room. Matias Cardona stared at me like a puppy who had lost his master.

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