费斯·安德鲁·贝得福特/FaithAndrewsBedford
, allthreewoulddictatethank-yousthatIwouldincludewithdrawingsthey’, SarahandDrewwereoldenoughtowriteownthank-younotes, however, theywoulddosoonlywithmuchprodding.
“HaveyouwrittentothankGrandyforthebookyet?”I’dask.“WhatdidyousaytoAuntDorothyaboutthatsweater?”Invariably, I’dbemetwithmumblesandshrugs.
Oneyear, inthedaysfollowingChristmas, I’, .
Somethingsnapped.“Everyoneintothecar.”Isaid.
“Wherearewegoing?”Sarahasked, bewildered.
“TobuyaChristmaspresent.”
“Butit’safterChristmas.”sheprotested, puttingonhercoat.
“Noarguing,”Isaidinatonethatmeantexactlythat.
Thekidspiledintothecar.“You’regoingtoseejusthowmuchtimethosewhocareaboutyouspendwhentheygiveyouapresent.”Itoldthem.
HandingDrewapadofpaperandapencil, Isaid,“Pleasemarkdownthetimewelefthome.”
Whenwereachedthevillage, .
Burstingfreefromtheconfinesofthecar, thechildrenheadedfortheirsleds.“Notsofast,”Isaid.“We’vegottowrapthepresents.”Thekidsslouchedinside.
“Drew,”Iasked,“didyounotethetimewegothome?”Henodded.“Okay, pleasetimethegirlswhiletheywrapthepresents.”
’dtiedthelastbow, theylookedupexpectantly.“Howlongdidthisalltake?”IaskedDrew.
Glancingathisnotes, hesaid,“Ittookus28minutestogettotownand15minutestobuythepresents.Thenitwas38minutestogethome, becausewehadtobuygas.”
“Andhowlongdidittakeustowraptheboxes?”Eleanorasked.
“Eachofyoudidonepresentintwominutes,”Drewsaid.
“Andhowmanyminuteswillittaketomailthesepresents?”Iasked.
