Saturday, November 20, 2010

My first gift story for Liz Fichera's Blog Hop

We met in New York  and had only been dating for about three months. And then the bomb dropped. "I'm moving back to Florida."

Nice guy that I am, I had offered to fly down and help unpack all the boxes and set the furniture after the movers arrived. I had such mixed feelings. A fantastic new relationship and the anger of having my potential soul mate leave me and move 1500 miles away.

We got even closer the week I had stayed. Such a romantic setting. Moonlight, swaying palm trees, the ocean gently kissing the white sandy shores. How could you not fall in love? Well it happened to both of us, but my career centered around the glitz and glamor of the NY's fashion scene. I traveled a lot between Europe and NYC. I couldn't leave. Miami's fashion scene made some noise, but not enough for me to move to Florida.

After a choked up goodbye, I found a slip of paper in my pocket as I emptied my wallet, etc. for security.

You'll be traveling with a companion. Don't forget to take it out of your suitcase the minute you get home.

"Don't tell me there's something alive in my luggage," I mumbled to myself.

For two of the longest hours I was on pins and needles, wondering what could possibly be wrapped between my shirts and pants.

We landed and I rushed to baggage claim. It took me every ounce of strength I could muster not to rip my bag open the moment I rescued it from the carousel.

I hopped in a cab. Twenty minutes later I arrived at my apartment. I flung the suitcase on the bed and opened it.

I let out a howl of laughter. Sitting on top of my stack of t-shirts, a kelly green stuffed alligator smiled up at me. Between the white jagged teeth, a bright red forked tongue hung out of the side of its mouth.

I picked up the phone immediately.

This alligator is still one of my favorite gifts in a long line of other wonderful gifts ... but this one was the first.

22 comments:

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I was moved and uplifted at the same time by your remembrance. Dreams can tear apart or bind together. Life is truly a gift that comes like a jigsaw puzzle, one day, one piece at a time.

Thanks for being brave and gifted enough to share. Roland

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story! I felt as excited as you to know what was inside! And now I'm intrigued...you must finish the story. Did you get your happily-ever-after?! :-)

Great to meet you, Michael! Thanks so much for sharing and for joining the Blog Hop.

Francine Howarth said...

Hi

Lovely story and memorable circumstances re its secret and suspenseful presentation! ;)

best
F

ps, the verification word is: notable

Rachael Harrie said...

Aw, that's so sweet! I love gifts that are really unique like that :)

Loved the story suspense too, well written (*applauds*) ;)

Rach

Golden Eagle said...

That's a great story, and certainly a different kind of gift than the norm. :)

Tina said...

I admire your forbearance in not ripping that suitcase open the minute it was in your hands. A great romantic story. Thanks for sharing it.

Bast said...

Sweet romantic story. I wouldn't have been able to tolerate the flight -- I'd just be wondering the whole time what was in the bag.

Joanna St. James said...

very sweet story, dreams can be a pain sometimes but then you know you have to let them go if not they will be bitter eventually.
Thank you for sharing your story and i do think you are a saint

Heather said...

LOL! That is awesome! What a sweet story. Not knowing would have drove me crazy!

Unknown said...

What a wonderfully romantic story. Thanks for sharing!

So? What happened next? When do we hear the next installment?

The Words Crafter said...

I'm with Shirley, what happens next? I was hooked; what a great story!

Anonymous said...

How fun! I think the suspense would have killed me, making that flight seem even longer than it was.

And add me to the list of those wanting to know what happens next. :)

Donna Cummings

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks everyone. I'm glad you enjoyed my romantic firs gift. I am mean leaving a cliffhanger. I'm leaving for Florida tomorrow, but at some point I will reveal more.

You have all made my day!

Michael

Talei said...

Aw, this is lovely. Thanks for sharing! I now want a Kelly Green Alligator too! ;)

Joanna St. James said...

ooh Mike! I've got my eye on you. Have fun

Unknown said...

Wonderful, wonderful story!!! What a cool thiing Liz is doing!

erica and christy said...

Michael, This was very well done! (I finally added your blogfest to our sidebar...hope you're having fun!) christy

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

What a story! Please let us know the rest of it soon!!!

Monti
NotesAlongTheWay

Unknown said...

What a sweet story :-)

(Noticed you changed tenses here and there... Dunno if that was intentional..!)

Patricia A. Timms-McGehee said...

That was a fun read. I was caught in your suspense. I kept wondering if the gift might really be alive. And if so, what kind of thing could live for that long in a suitcase, ha! Loved it! Hope you're have a great HP vacation!

Heather M. Gardner said...

It's a good thing security didn't notice how anxious you were to get into your suitcase! Thanks for sharing and for keeping us in suspense!

Nicki Elson said...

Nice suspense you built up there. What a sweet gift and what a sweet gesture by you to help her unpack. Sounds like that was a very good move. ;)