a loving gift

Angus stared down at the boxes stacked in his hands, feeling doubt sap at his determination to do what he desperately needed to do. He felt reinvigorated when Ravi’s warm hand squeezed his shoulder, providing a tender comfort. Angus released a breath that he didn’t know he was holding as they waited for the door to open. 

The two of them stood in front of Marjorie’s boutique. Warm light and quiet, uninteresting chatter seeped from the partially cracked windows. Ravi had been invited to a holiday party that Marjorie was holding to attract business investors. And he’d requested to bring a friend along with him. The friend being Angus, of course, but Marjorie wasn't made aware of that. 

They arrived late, so Angus wouldn’t disrupt the party with his surprise appearance. When the door finally swung open, a pair of smartly dressed men begged the pardon of Ravi and Angus, shuffling past them as they departed. They seemed to be the last attendees of the party.

When Angus turned his gaze from the business partners, he saw her. Holding the door open, her sharp eyes raked Angus up and down. Angus wondered if she even fully recognized him. 

“Happy Holidays!” Ravi offered enthusiastically, surging forward to wrap Marjorie in a hug, which she pretended not to like. “Sorry for being late. I had some last minute things to take care of.”

“You'd better be sorry,” Marjorie replied, sounding bitter, though she was smiling as they parted from their embrace. Angus felt his heart swell, watching the short interaction, but it sank just as quickly as Marjorie's smile faded when she glanced back over to Angus. 

She beckoned both of them inside. As soon as she closed the door behind them, she whirled around and launched into a violent, explosive tirade. “What is he doing here? He finally comes crawling back after all these years and you think it's a good idea to drag him to my doorstep with gifts, thinking all will be forgiven?” 

Her rage was directed at Ravi initially, who shrunk beneath her anger. It wasn't long before Angus became the target of her wrath. 

“And you. You left me alone for eight years with that man. I hope you didn't come here expecting charity and kindness from me, because you are not my brother anymore! I will never… What are you doing? Listen to me when I'm shouting at you!” she demanded, watching furiously as Angus set down the boxes he was holding on the floor. 

He moved forward while she stared up at him with tears of frustration in her eyes, sputtering out futile strings of insults before he wrapped her in a tight embrace. She didn't return the hug at first, remaining limp in his arms, but it was tentatively reciprocated. 

Angus rested his head against the top of hers, closing his eyes. “I know you won't forgive me anytime soon, if you forgive me at all, but I'm sorry. For leaving you,” Angus muttered, fighting to resist frowning when he heard her quiet sniffles. He wanted to gently run his fingers through her hair, to placate her like he used to when they were children, but he just squeezed her a little bit tighter. “I'll do anything to make it up to you.” 

They parted from one another. Ravi offered Marjorie a handkerchief, which she snatched from him with a scowl, urgently wiping her tears away. “Ugh… Whatever. Whatever! Both of you just come into the parlor. There’s some leftover hors d'oeuvres.” 

Angus and Ravi exchanged a relieved glance, thankful for her hasty mood changes. Angus picked up the boxes once more and followed Marjorie and Ravi into the parlor that was adjacent to the boutique showroom. He couldn't help but steal eyeing glances at the wonderful outfits on display, feeling a surge of pride in knowing that his sister was so skilled and talented. Not that he had anything to do with that. 

Angus settled himself on the couch next to Ravi, setting down the boxes on the floor next to them. They were seated for less than a minute when Ravi suddenly sprung back up and offered to go make a fresh pot of tea, excusing himself and leaving the room with haste. Angus watched him go, his nervous gaze shifting back to his sister, who stood with her arms crossed, glaring at Ravi as he vacated. It was likely to give Angus and Marjorie some time alone. And maybe to escape her evil glares. 

“So, are the gifts part of your plan to ‘make it up to me’?” Marjorie snapped, her eyes flicking over to Angus in a flash. “I'm surprised Ravi advised you to do such a foolish thing. He should know I'm not so easily swayed.” 

“They were my idea. Don’t be cross with him for bringing me here, either. That was also my idea,” Angus admitted, picking up the white box that was on top of the shoddily wrapped presents to set it aside on the coffee table. Marjorie watched him annoyedly. Even after all these years, Angus still remained unshaken by her dark looks and sharp tongue. “If you don't want the gifts, I can always return them.” 

“Don’t be ridiculous!” she scoffed, coming to snatch the presents, complaining about their wrapping under her breath. Angus couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He knew that no matter how angry she was with him, she could never turn down presents.

By the time Ravi returned with tea, Marjorie had already torn through a couple gifts. It was mostly expensive fabrics and special threads, all of which she marveled at discreetly while pretending to be unimpressed. 

Him and Ravi just drank their tea while sharing amused glances. Angus’ tokens of appeasement soon ran out, however, and when Marjorie was done pretending to not fawn over the gifts, her attention turned to the white box that Angus had sitting on the table in front of him. 

“And what is that? Some final effort to win me over?” she questioned, gesturing to it uninterestedly. 

“Sure, if that's what you want to call it,” Angus replied, flipping the thin cardboard box open and turning it towards her. “It's just something I made. Bûche de Noël,” he added, continuing before Marjorie could make any particularly nasty comments about the appearance of the log cake. “I know you were too young to remember, but Mom and I used to make one of these for the holidays. I don't think you ever had the chance to try one. At least not one that I made.” 

Marjorie peered silently at the cake, looking conflicted. As hideous as it looked, Angus could tell she was curious. Angus cut slices for all of them, glancing up from his piece to see Marjorie's unguarded reaction to it. He saw her crack a tiny smile, one that she quickly covered with her hand while she chewed. While he struggled with the aesthetics, he felt good knowing that the taste didn't suffer for it. That was enough for Angus. 

The three of them enjoyed the cake and chatted casually amongst one another. Angus got caught up on a lot that had happened since he left. Marjorie starting her own business and working to expand her brand, mostly. Angus was happy about her success and glad that he was able to abate her rage for the evening. 

When the time came for the night to draw to a close, Angus and Ravi were escorted to the door by Marjorie. “...Don't spring anything like this on me again, Ravi,” Marjorie warned, giving him a quick hug goodbye. He sheepishly voiced his understanding and apologies. 

To Angus’ surprise, instead of sending him off with insults, Marjorie also gave him a hasty hug. “Don’t think all is well between us… But know I appreciate your efforts so far.” 

Angus smiled to himself. “Thanks for giving me a chance, Marj,” he murmured sincerely. As soon as they parted, Marjorie waved him off.

“Whatever. See you both again soon,” she replied with fake hospitality, urgent to get them out the door. Ravi and Angus said their final goodbyes and headed out. 

They trotted along the sidewalk in the dark of night, shoulders brushing against one another. Their breath formed small clouds in front of them as they walked in relative silence for a short while. Angus wanted to thank Ravi for helping him get in good with his sister, but he wasn't sure how. 

“...Thanks for coming tonight, Angus. I know she really does appreciate it. And so do I,” Ravi expressed, just as Angus was about to offer his own gratitude. 

“Thanks for bringing me with you. I would've been too afraid to do it on my own,” Angus confessed, somehow managing to find the strength to tell Ravi how he really felt. 

Ravi chuckled a little, shivering in the biting cold. “You, afraid? You've never been afraid in your life,” he replied, smiling slightly as he met Angus’ gaze while they hoofed along. 

Looking at him, the glow of street lamps washing over his features, Angus felt his steady heart stutter in his chest. He just returned the small smile before looking to the ground. “Trust me, you have no idea.”