There was a knock at the door. Judging by Muggly’s barrage of uncontrollable purrs and yelps, it had to be…looking through the peephole, I saw that it was. It was William. Muggly always knew when it was William. Not that he’s over here all that much, but I guess since he found her first, they have a special bond.

“Meoooow! Meoooooow!”

“Okay, Muggly, okay.”

Sliding the latch, turning the bolt, I opened the door.

William was standing with a gift in hand. We had a tradition of exchanging gifts and opening them before Christmas Day. Remembering our last conversation and how it ended, I manufactured an attitude, not wanting to let him off the hook too easily.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“Merry Christmas!” he exclaimed, ignoring my funk.

“Can I help you?” I repeated with an even more wrinkled frown.

“Come on now, Montana. Are you still trippin’ over the other night?”

“Trippin’? Over what?”

“You know what.”

“Oh, Dirt Devil? Dustbuster? No William, I think that was honorable of you. She was obviously soiled, homeless, and musty, you were just giving her shelter, water, soap, and towels. You’re like the YMCA. You’re a rest haven!” I said, grinning.

He handed me his gift, smiling, I’m sure expecting to receive one in return. “Merry Christmas, Montana.”

“Thank you, William. You know, I’ve been so busy, I haven’t had a chance to go shopping for you yet.”

“I know. I know. That’s cool. I’m not tripping. I just wanted to keep our tradition. And in keeping our tradition, you have to open it today. And I wouldn’t wait too long, it’s got an expiration date.” I held the box to my ear, shaking it.

“Just open the box, silly.”

“I will. Not now though, but come on in. I’m kind of rushing to get ready for tonight, but I have a couple of minutes.”

“Oh, so you are going?”

“Why wouldn’t I be going?”

“I don’t know, it’s just that no one’s been able to reach you for the past couple days. Your mom called my mom. My mom called me, and—”

“And then you came over here to spy on me and make sure I wasn’t drowning in my own pool of self-pity.”

“Yeah, pretty much. And, of course, to give you my gift.”

“Well, as you can see, I’m fine. No pool. No pity. I’m perfectly okay. And I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Good. I’m glad.” He paused with his hands in his pockets, fidgeting, looking like he obviously had something else to say. “Hey, Montana, look, I know it’s a little difficult for you, you know, with your little sister getting engaged and with all the attention your family puts on marriage. So, as your oldest and dearest friend, I came up with a solution.”

“A solution for me?”

“Yep.”