The Best Gift Ever

Ding!

The phone on the counter chimes with a new text. Cara wipes her hands on her pants and picks up the device. The word "Lover" shows, telling her the text is from her husband.

"All clear?" the text reads. Then, Cara hears the sound of the garage door opening and a car pulling up the driveway. Cara sends a thumbs up and quickly discards her phone to the side.

Cara places the final strawberry on her three-tiered chocolate cake and steps back to look over her creation. It's not a traditional Thanksgiving dessert, but she's proud of her masterpiece nonetheless. Her step-son's birthday happens to fall on Thanksgiving this year and his cake request was very specific.

"Sam, what kind of cake do you want for your birthday?" Cara had asked in the baking aisle of the grocery store. The soon-to-be seven-year-old boy looked around at all the boxes of cake mix, frosting, sprinkles, and decorations before turning around and looking his step-mother in the eye with the most serious expression a child can muster.

"I want a chocolate cake with chocolate fudge frosting, whipped cream, strawberries, and four cherries," he says, holding up four fingers for emphasis.

Cara did just that, with her own creative touch. She places the cake on the dining table underneath the string of balloons that she put up ten minutes prior. She arranges Sam's presents around the table trying to make everything look picture perfect. Her heart swells with pride thinking about his gift and how happy he will be to open it.

For years, Sam has wanted nothing more than to have and play Minecraft. She is still not exactly sure what it is other than a game for his Nintendo Switch, but whatever it is, she got it. Her hands shake with excitement, picturing him opening the gift and jumping for joy. It is going to be the best gift ever.

Cara places a big bow on the wrapped gift just in time for the door to burst open, causing childish giggles to fill the home.

"I'm hungry!" Sam exclaims, marching through the kitchen. "Hey, Cara," he says as he hurries right past her, through the dining room, and straight to the pantry. He passes his gifts, cake, and balloons without a second glance, his heart only set on a granola bar to satiate his growling tummy.

"Sam," his father says, pausing to kiss Cara briefly, "why don't you look at the table?" Sam turns around and peeks his head out of the pantry. After a moment, he realizes the festivities and his eyes light up.

"Can we have cake before dinner?" he immediately asks, running up to the cake. His mouth waters in anticipation and looks up at Cara and his father expectantly. "Please?"

"I suppose," his father says, "if Cara says it's okay." He looks at her for approval.

"I was planning on it. Dinner isn't even ready yet," she replies with a laugh. The turkey is still in the oven, the potatoes haven't been mashed, and the peas are still cold.

"Then it's settled!"

Sam jumps in the air and runs to the bathroom to wash his hands. The doorbell rings, causing Cara and her husband to look at each other quizzically.

"Are you expecting someone?" they ask each other simultaneously. They both shake their heads in response.

"I'll get it," Cara offers, heading towards the door. She opens the door to a tall woman she's never actually met before. Cara takes in the woman's military uniform in silence; she opens her mouth to speak but no words come out. She is not exactly sure how she feels about the woman showing up at her door without notice.

"Hi, Cara," the woman says, looking unsure of her presence. "I'm sorry I dropped by unannounced. It was a last minute thing and-"

"-Come in," Cara finally manages to say, cutting off the woman's ramblings. Who is she to not let her into her home? "Sam is going to be so happy to see you."

"Denise?" Cara's husband asks, seeing his ex-wife for the first time in over a year. "I thought you were still in Texas."

"I was, but they granted my leave at the last minute and I-"

"Mommy!" Sam's scream pierces the ears of all three adults and his feet pound on the floor as he runs to his mother. He jumps on her, almost bringing them both to the floor.

For the two years, Cara has mothered and loved this boy as if he were her own. The love this boy has for his mother will go unparalleled and Cara can't help but feel a pang of hurt in her heart. She has watched him grow in size and as a person, yet he will never have the connection with her that he has with his biological mother - the connection that Cara longs for so dearly. She knows she has no right to feel upset or even jealous of this woman, but she just cannot help it.

"Hi, Boojah," Denise says happily into his ear. "I missed you so much, baby, happy birthday!"

"I missed you, too, Mommy. Happy Thanksgiving," he murmurs into her chest as he hugs her tight.

Cara's husband wraps an arm around her waist and squeezes her gently. It is with that simple touch that Cara knows he sees her pain and, somehow, it helps just a little. She places her hand over his and watches Sam with his mother. He looks up Cara and shows her a smile of happiness that she has never seen on his face before. That happiness is all Cara needs to swallow her sorrow. If he is happy, then she is happy. Sam is all that matters.

"What are you thankful for this year, baby?" Denise asks her boy, holding him at arms' length and looking at her through teary eyes. Everyone in the room knows Sam's answer, but he says it anyway.

"You, Momma. I'm thankful for you."

I've changed my mind, Cara thinks to herself. This is the best gift ever.