“Do you know where she went?” I ask her, sitting down on the sofa beside her as she works on wrapping a Christmas present.

She shakes her head. “No, but it couldn’t have been too far, right? Since she walked.”

Maybe, but maybe not.

My mom secures a piece of tape on the Christmas present and then sticks a bow on it. “There, I think I’ve finally got everything wrapped.” She leans back to put the Christmas present below the small artificial tree in the corner.

I frown as I slump back in the sofa. “Why is everyone so into presents all of a sudden? We never made a big deal about them before. First Ella and now you.

“So… what’s wrong with changing things and giving presents?”

“Because I didn’t get anyone anything.”

“Are you really worried about everyone or just Ella?”

I sigh. “She got me something and it feels like I should give her something back, but I don’t want it to be something stupid—I want it to mean something.”

My mom eyes me over for a moment and then she gets to her feet. “Get your coat on and follow me.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.” She uses her stern voice and I get to my feet.

We put on our coats and then she heads outside, taking Ella’s and my path and climbing over the fence to get to Ella’s yard. I follow her, totally confused because she’s acting weird. Then we wind around the Firebird and step up the back stairs to the door and she knocks, which makes things even weirder because I’ve rarely knocked before. I usually just walk in.

“Mom, seriously, what are we doing?” I ask, stuffing my hands into my pockets.

My mom knocks again and then turns to me, shivering from the cold. “A few weeks ago, I saw Raymond carrying out a bunch of boxes to the garage. I offered him some help and we got to talking and he told me that the boxes had some of Ella’s mom’s old stuff.”

“Okay? I’m not following you, Mom.”

She smiles at me. “I’m thinking that Ella would probably really like something that belonged to her mom, maybe something she could wear at the wedding.”

I open my mouth to tell her this is by far the worst idea she’s ever had, since Ella’s dad gets weird talking about stuff like that and I’m not even sure how Ella would react if I gave her something of her mom’s since it’s such an emotional subject for her. But before I can say anything, the door opens up.

“Hey, Terri,” Mr. Daniels says, looking confused as to why the two of us would be standing on his doorstep.

“Hey, Raymond,” my mom says with a smile. “I have a huge favor to ask you.”