费斯·安德鲁·贝德福特 /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.
“Fifty-sixminutes, roundtrip, ” Drewfigured.“Ifwedon'tneedgas.”
