A Birthday Gift

by Atonia

John went home to shower and change clothes before going to Keisha’s house and Mori’s birthday party. He felt bad he had no gift and thought if he hurried he might make it by the variety store before it closed. He wondered at himself getting involved with Keisha…it was only a hamburger but still he felt he’d crossed the line. It was a dangerous line for him, an emotional abyss.

Keisha gave Mori her bath, and dressed in a cute little sundress she helped put the candles on her birthday cake. Keisha told her about John and that he would be sharing their dinner and cake.  It wasn’t often anyone came to their house and Mori was curious about the police officer.

John persuaded the clerk to ring up the electronic game after hours and hurried back out onto the sidewalk. It was only a block down the beach to Keisha’s house and he decided to walk the path next to the beach leaving his car parked in front of the store.

He stopped on the walkway and looked at her little house, wanting to run back to his car and go home. He shook his head; what was wrong with him anyway. He took a deep breath and walked up the path to her door and knocked. It was opened by Mori who had been watching for him. She greeted him with a smile and motioned for him to come in.

It was a neat little place filled with Keisha’s quirky collection of artwork and Mori’s toys. Mori took him by the hand and led him into the kitchen where Keisha was making meat patties.

“There you are…I was afraid you weren’t going to come,” she said. “Mori would have been heartbroken, she’s been looking forward to your coming to her little party.”

John swallowed, “I ah stopped by the store and bought her a little something…it’s not wrapped or anything.” John held the bag awkwardly in his hand.

“Oh, well you didn’t have to do that…she knows you have something why not go ahead and give it to her.”

John signed happy birthday and gave her the bag. Mori’s hands moved so fast he had a little trouble keeping up with her but she seemed happy with the game and went over to the divan and sat down with it.

“It seems okay…I didn’t know what to get her…never had any experience with little girls.”

“She doesn’t get may presents, John so anything would be a treat for her. There’s beer in the fridge, please help yourself as you can see my hands.” She held up her hamburger hands and smiled.

John helped himself to a beer and sat down at the little kitchen table. “Your ah, accent it’s not local is it?” He took a drink of his beer.

“That’s because I’m not local…I’m from New Zealand. I’ve been here for about six years now. I know you’ve been in Little Timor for about a year and a half, where were you before then…you’re American or Canadian?”

“Ah, from Alaska…I came into Perth and was sent up here for training and got on the force. That’s about it.”

“Oh, that’s not all there is to you…Alaska is a long way from here…cold there too I’ve heard.” Keisha went to the sink and washed her hands. “I’ve met Americans but never anybody from Alaska.”

“There aren’t that many of us I guess…probably not many in western Australia.”

“No…well I’m glad you came here…surprising we haven’t met before, it being such a small place and all.” Keisha took a beer from the fridge for herself.

“Yeah that is strange. I know most everybody in town…I’ve seen you around.”

“I thought it took years to train for law enforcement, how did you pull it off in six months?

“I was a sheriff in Mystery, Alaska.”

“Ohh, can I ask you what brought you here?”

“An airplane,” he smiled, “I was just looking for a totally different environment you know, I ah…went through a divorce.”

“I see…I don’t mean to pry, John.”

“No it’s okay, I’m past all that now…why did you come here?”

“Me, oh I was trying to track down the father of my child. He skipped out when she was born said he couldn’t take her disability.”

“Did you find him?”

“I did…it took a while, he’s a merchant seaman…that’s how I got this little house and my store. He paid up and sailed away. I don’t expect I’ll ever see him again and that’s all right with me. What have you got there, Mori?”

Mori brought her game over and showed it to her mother, “That’s very nice did you say thank you?”

The little girl smiled shyly at John and then went over and climbed up in his lap with her game for him to play too.

“Mori, don’t…” Keisha began

“It’s okay,” John said and turned the game on taking a minute to see how it worked. Mori took the little pen and showed him what to do.

Keisha was amazed at Mori, who never had anything to do with men. “I’m going to check the coals,” she said and let herself out of the back door.  Soon the sound of laughter met her ears as she poked in the grill. She liked John, he had a gentleness about him and an honesty she found refreshing, and Mori seemed to be taken with him. She smiled as she entered the back door and saw their heads together playing the game.

“Who’s winning?” she asked.

“Mori…she’s a wiz.” John answered. “Anything I can do to help?” he asked.

“Oh no, you’re helping right now,” Keisha replied picking up the pan of meat patties and letting herself back out the door. She was soon joined by Mori and John…Mori ran to her swing and asked John to push her.

“She’s taken you over,” observed Keisha.

John smiled and gave Mori a gentle push, “She’s a sweet kid,” he said.

After their meal and a slice of cake and ice cream Mori settled down with her new coloring books and crayons and Keisha and John sat on the glider on her front porch.

“I want to thank you for the time you‘ve taken with Mori, that was very sweet of you.”

“You don’t have to thank me for that. Where does she go during the day when you’re at work, is she in school?”

“I have a lady who is deaf and she’s a retired teacher…she taught children who couldn’t hear or speak all her life. She lives just down the row here. She’s tutoring Mori. I know I should probably put her in the school here, but she’s so young for her age…I just can’t bring myself to toss her in with the other children…they can be so cruel sometimes. When she’s older and ready I will put her in school, but for now she’s well ahead of her age group.”

“That’s good that you found the teacher…she’s a bright kid. I should probably be going,” he said.

“Why…have you something to do?”

“Um no…I just think…”

“Relax, John…sit back and relax…look there’s a barge out on the water.”

That was the problem, John was relaxed, he’d found it all too easy being with Keisha and Mori.  He was in danger of being seduced here.  Keisha set the glider in motion, an easy rocking back and forth. He sat back on the seat resting his arm on the back of the glider. It was a natural motion for Keisha to settle back against it.

“It looks like it’s headed for Port Auckland,” he finally stated.

“Yes…big changes over there I’ve heard.” She said.

“I met the banker today, an Englishman…he looked like me.”

“What do you mean John?”

“A fish out of water…I feel that here.”

“But you’re not are you…everybody likes and respects you and you show respect to even the town drunk…I think you’re a very nice person, John Biebe.”

John turned and smiled at her, “So are you.”