A LITTLE GIFT, GREAT HAPPINESS

A SHORT CHANUKAH STORY

My friend Charles Gottfried passed away a few years ago.  He always related this story at Chanukah time, and since the Holidays are nearing I feel that I should write it down to preserve it as it belongs with the other stories that I have written about this happy season.

 It was the last night of Chanukah. Charles closed down his business located on 15^th street and drove the block to Mission Street where he parked in front of a small boutique.

During the Holidays, Charles would drive far down the peninsula, to the other side of San Jose, to visit with an old lady who lived alone; the widow of one of his very old friends. He had done so for many years, and he wanted to keep up this tradition.

Charles walked into the boutique. He wanted to find some small present for the old widow. He knew the owner of the store dealt with cash only. The sign on the back wall made that clear. She refused to take checks or charge cards. Located on Mission Street, perhaps she had her reasons.

There was only one other customer in the store, a young woman, somewhat shabbily dressed, but with sparkling animated eyes. She was standing by the front counter, picking objects up, and then putting them down quickly. Charles wondered if she was planning to shoplift something, but then he got into a conversation with the storeowner, who was also eying the young woman warily.

Charles had noticed a little lady’s hat in the window display; small and cute. He knew that the lady in San Jose would like it as she always dressed up when she left her home. She would put on a hat and gloves even to buy groceries at a local market.

The boutique’s proprietor, a crusty old sarcastic women herself, quoted him a price of $10.00, and she wanted to know what he was going to do with it. Although annoyed by the proximity of the young woman who seemed to be trying to overhear their conversation, Charles told the storeowner about the old widow, how she liked to dress up, and that she no longer had any family to spend time with on the Holidays. He downplayed his annual visit as being of any significance, but that he felt it was his duty to his old friend who died far too soon. Besides, he said, he liked the latkas that she would always make for him whenever he visited.

Charles opened his wallet, he never carried much cash, but this time he only had two bills: a $20 and $10.

He gave the woman the $10.00 bill, and put down his wallet. The proprietor brought out a gift box, laid it on the counter, and put the hat in it, waiting to see if he wanted anything else. He continued to look around the store.

Charles did not like driving that far alone, and so he invited a young women he had recently met to accompany him. While he was in the store, he might as well look for a small gift for her as well – a thank you gift for taking the time to go down with him.

He found a small, very colorful scarf. He hoped his companion would like it. He was told that $20.00 would buy it, and since the proprietor had seen that he only had the two bills, she said she would cover the sales tax.

He noticed that the young woman shopper was leaving hurriedly; almost knocking over a display.

When he reached out to open his wallet, the $20.00 bill was gone. He searched frantically but could not find it. He became angry. Surely it must have been the young woman that had just left the store. She must have taken it out of his wallet. No wonder she made such a fast retreat.

By this time both gifts were nicely wrapped and he was assured that it was okay to bring the $20.00 the next day.

Still angry and blaming himself for being negligent with his wallet, he drove away and picked up his companion.

She was delighted with the scarf and wore it all evening.

In San Jose the old woman greeted them with smiles and kissed him. The great aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the good smell of latkas frying in oil were wonderful to experience. Charles and his companion were charmed.

She opened the package and put on the little hat. She loved it. She looked in all the mirrors so that she could see herself from all angles.

Suddenly she stopped, screamed, ran across the room, threw her arms around Charles and cried out. You really know how to please and surprise a lady. How did you know that I wanted to buy a gift for myself, but I didn’t have any money. The $20.00 bill inside the package will buy it for me. Thank you. Thank you.

She was ecstatic; the happiest person. They all kissed and hugged each other. Latkes never tasted that good.

Charles and his companion slowly drove back up the peninsula. The old widow’s elation was infectious, and a wonderful new relationship was born; all from the magic of Chanukah (and of a young girl in shabby clothes with flashing eyes).

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