Scott climbed the steep stairway to Midway General Hospital with an uneasy gait that betrayed his inner turmoil. He had promised his lovely wife Laura a Christmas present today, but had come up empty handed. Six months earlier, Laura had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Despite massive chemotherapy and a radical mastectomy, the cancer had spread to her bones and liver. With the exception of losing a little weight, she looked remarkably good, and was generally in high spirits. But the doctors had warned this would probably be her last Christmas. The guilt Scott felt was immense...he had done everything he could do to help her, and now couldn't come up with a simple Christmas present!
Scott pushed the massive front doors of Midway General open and tentatively made his way to Laura's private room. The hospital smelled like a mixture of strawberries and potpourri, a cloying sweetness that masked the odor of decaying old wood and musty halls. In due time, Scott reached the foyer of Laura's room. He looked in with trepidation, as he never knew exactly what to expect.
To his surprise, Laura was sitting upright in the slightly elevated bed. She smiled as he slowly entered the room.
"So, Did you bring my present?" Laura stared at Scott pleadingly.
"Um...er...I couldn't think of anything really good" Scott felt like a first class moron. Tears began to fall from his eyes.
Laura appeared surprised, but only for a few seconds. "Well, I got you a present"
"You did??" Scott was incredulous. "How?"
"Like this" Laura abruptly threw off her bedsheets. She was entirely naked under the coverings except for a tiny bright blue thong, Scott's favorite color.
"Oh my GOD!!!" Scott practically fainted. Laura looked absolutely gorgeous, and he felt a stirring in his loins.
Laura just gave him her best wicked smile. "I know what you can get me for Christmas."
"Wh-a-a-t-t?" Scott was still so surprised he could barely get the words out.
"You could take me, right here, right now!"