“Open the present now,” I mumbled against his lips.
Russell pulled out the photo book and began flipping through the pages. He would laugh and occasionally touch my face on the pages as he looked at it. Every now and then he turned the book around to show his parents. When he reached the end, I pointed out the code that he just needed to scan with his phone and then he could download it.
“This is wonderful. Thank you, Ryan.”
Russell made two passes through the book and then he handed it to his mom to look through. I finished another cookie while his parents asked us questions about the pictures and places. Russell and I told them the Cracker Jack tattoo story, which made his parents laugh.
Stanley picked up two presents from under the tree and walked toward us. As he handed one that looked like a book to Russell, he said, “This is to continue on with our tradition.” He handed me a small gift bag and said, “And this is to start what I hope to be a tradition.”
I looked up at him, and he smiled at me. I learned that ever since Russell earned his psychology degree, Stanley has given him a different book on psychology each year for Christmas. Russell was excited over the book, and he and Stanley spoke for a few moments about it before they both looked at me. Russell gestured at the gift bag I held in my hands.
“Open it. I’m dying to see what tradition my dad wants to start with you,” Russell said.
I pulled out the tissue paper and took out what appeared to be a small folio, similar to the size of a passport. I opened it and saw his 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card. It was packaged with care in a clear plastic card protector, and the corners fit securely under the elastic on the inside of the card.
“Is that the Mickey Mouse card?” Lily jokingly asked.
“It is,” Stanley laughed along with her. “Ryan, you said something to me the other day when we were looking at baseball cards that made me certain you were the perfect person to own this card. Whenever I would talk to Russell about cards, he would always say”—Stanley pointed to Russell so he could recite what he apparently always said—“It’s difficult to find the right auction to sell baseball cards at to ensure you’re receiving the value,” Russell said.
Stanley looked at me and winked.
“And what did you tell me the other day?” he asked me.
“I said a true collector doesn’t collect them in hopes of turning them for profit. They collect them for the love of the game. They don’t sell them.”
“Precisely.” Stanley reached out and playfully punched my arm. “Merry Christmas, Ryan.”
“Thank you! Merry Christmas!” I stood and hugged him. For a second, I imagined Stanley was actually my dad and that we were sharing some kind of father/son moment that would turn into one of my favorite memories.
“We’ll do this again next year if you guys come out,” Stanley said as we pulled out of the hug.
“I’d like that,” I said.
Before I sat down, Russell stood and went to the tree.
“Don’t go too far,” he told me.
I sat on the floor next to the coffee table and reached for another oatmeal raisin cookie. He picked up a box and a bag and then sat on the chair that was now closest to me. He set both in front of me and told me to open the box first. I tore it open and found the remote control droid that I was going to get at the Black Friday sale, but they were sold out.
“The droid!” I grinned at Russell and began to open the box. “They were sold out when we went,” I reminded him as I pulled out the Styrofoam that encased the droid.
“I stumbled on to it while shopping,” Russell said.
“Oh, you found his droid,” Lily said. I set the beige and green droid down on the hardwood floor and glanced at the instruction book.
“What kind of batteries does it take? I have tons now.” Stanley picked up the box to look for the battery info. “Two double-A. I’ll be right back.”
I glanced over the features and was excited to try it out. It had different modes and even made noises. I was immersed in reading about the capabilities that I hadn’t noticed that Russell was leaning forward, rubbing on my back. I still had my baseball blanket over my shoulders like a cape. When I realized he was rubbing on me, I set my booklet down and got up on my knees to hug him.
“Thank you!” I said close to his ear right before I kissed it.
Russell turned his head and kissed me on my lips. My face quickly grew warm since his parents were in the room. His dad was even close by as he was putting the batteries in the droid for me. Russell held me close, rubbing on my back and the back of my neck.
“You’re welcome, my boy,” Russell whispered.
He kept one hand on my back as he leaned down to pick up the small gift bag.
“Open this one.”
