When the gift-opening began, my best friend Tasha handed me a beautifully wrapped box.
I smiled.
For the first time that afternoon, something actually felt like it belonged to me.
Then Diane dragged her chair across the floor until it was pressed against mine.
“Let Grandma help!”
Before I could touch the ribbon, she lifted the box from my lap.
She tore off the wrapping paper and pulled out a tiny baby outfit.
“Oh, look at this!” she exclaimed, holding it up for everyone to see.
Then she added,
“This will be perfect for when he spends the night at Grandma’s house!”
People laughed.
I sat there with empty hands.
The next gift arrived.
Diane opened that one too.
Then another.
And another.
Each time, she removed the wrapping paper, held up the present, and explained how she intended to use it when the baby visited her.
I barely touched anything.
