“Well, I got nothing for ya. If I had an idea, maybe, but without some input I'm tapped, girl.”
I just sat there with my head in my hands, hunched over my knees. What am I going to do? I've got like two days ‘til his birthday and then three more to be ready for Christmas.
“Come on. We'll walk through again.” Layla had stood up and was kicking my foot while picking up her found treasures.
“No, I know you're tired. Let's just go. Maybe I can get some hints from him tomorrow after he gets home.”
“Where is he tonight?”
“Twenty-four-hour duty. So he'll be home sometime mid-morning. I can ask him then.”
We started on our way back through the craziness of other mall patrons, weaving this way and that trying to avoid getting bumped into by those not paying attention. I twisted to avoid someone who was simply plowing through with little care of others and something caught my eye: black dog tags from Things Remembered.
I grabbed Layla's arm. “We're going in here.” I made a beeline for the display. “This is perfect. I’ll get this. And by post there's a little kiosk that can scan a picture onto a silver one. This is perfect!” I was so excited. I found one of Collin's presents. We found a clerk who ordered the dog tags.
“Hey, I know which picture you should use. The one I took at the fountain. That's a great one.”
“Yeah. Perfect. I'll order it tomorrow while Colin is sleeping. Now to find his birthday gift.”
We continued walking through the throng of shoppers. I was reenergized. I had ordered his Christmas present, plus a few extras for fun, but now I needed something for his birthday. Nothing else caught my eye before we left the mall. We stopped to grab some dinner before heading back. What had begun as a near panic trip had turned around. I had a plan for the next day. I hoped I would figure out something tomorrow. I dropped Layla off and called Colin to let him know I was home.
“Hey, love. How's the night been?”
“Fairly quiet. Most of the guys are getting ready for leave or have already left. It's nice, but it makes me miss you more.”
I smiled as if he could see me. “I love you and miss you too.”
“Hey babe, can you add some notebooks to my packing list?”
“Sure. Why?”
“I use them for journals, and I finished my last one just before the wedding.”
“You kept a journal?”
“Yep. I know. Kind of corny or girly, but sometimes I like to go back and remember events. So could you add that to my packing list? I need a new one before I leave.”
“Sure. I’m writing it down right now.” Secretly my mind was turning.
Journal. Perfect. I know of a place that has a black, soft leather journal. Maybe I could get it personalized or something,
“Babe. Did you hear me?”
“What? Oh, sorry. Something caught my attention out at the window. What'd you say?”
“Just I love you. I gotta go make my rounds.”
“I love you too, night. See you in the morning.”
“Sweet dreams, my love.”
Click.
I had my plan. After Colin got home and went to bed, I would head out to get the second dog tag and the journal.
*********
December 21st finally came. I had planned for us to go to O'Charley's for dinner. Of course, it being December, we couldn't sit out on the patio, but we still loved the place. I had his journal wrapped and safely hidden in my purse. I was so excited.
I had missed wishing him a happy birthday before he left that morning. So I was surprised when he came home expecting us to stay in.
“Why are we going out? It's not a special date I forgot, is it?” He seemed not quite panicky, but definitely on the nervous side.
“Well, of course it's a special day, silly. It's your birthday!” I was grinning at him as I walked up to him and gave him a big hug.
“Oh, that's okay, hun. We don't have to do anything special. I usually don't celebrate my birthday because it's so close to Christmas.” He kissed me on my forehead.
“That’s absurd. This is your special day and deserves some celebration! Go change. Unless you'd prefer to go in your fatigues.” I raised an eyebrow to show he could not change my mind.
“Okay! Okay. I'll change. Give me 10 minutes.”
“Deal,” I said, bouncing on my tiptoes, giving him a peck and grinning.
A while later, Colin sat back in his side of the booth with a smile that stretched ear to ear. He was happy.
“I honestly can't remember the last time I did anything for my birthday. Thank you.”
“Well, that's a shame, but I'm glad I'm the one to show you how special you are and worth celebrating.” I gave him a wink.
His head dropped as his signature crooked grin poked through. He shook his head. “You remembered.”
“Of course! ‘The first person to show me how a lady should be treated.’ How could I forget?!”
Right then, I reached into my purse and pulled out a metallic blue package and handed it to him. The look of surprise really drove home to me how little he expected of his birthday.
“Joleene, you didn't have to get me anything. Honest.” He seemed almost reluctant to accept the present.
“Colin. I wanted this birthday to be special because it's our first together, but
