I wasn't sure what I was letting myself in for, except that I knew it would be pleasant, but my girlfriend Sue had said, 'Sorry, sweetheart, I have to work Christmas Day, until four. Come round to the apartment about six, and we can spend the evening together. I'll cook Christmas dinner for you,' she'd added, with a kiss and a smile and a hug.
Sue works on the switchboard at Mercy hospital. She'd volunteered to work, as her working meant one of the married operators could be with their family for Christmas. The act was typical of Sue's generosity of spirit. We'd been going out together for about two months and already I couldn't imagine life without her as part of it. We hadn't talked about it, not yet, but marriage was definitely on my mind.
At six o'clock sharp I rang her doorbell.
"Hi, Tom! Come on in." It was Jan, Sue's roommate. She took my arm and drew me in. I was wondering why she was directing me so carefully, until I realized she'd got me under the mistletoe. She arched her brows in query, and I leaned into her kiss, a sweet kiss, soft, warm lips. A friendly kiss, no more. A Christmas kiss between friends. Jan was dressed for going out and she fastened her coat as we stepped apart again.
"I'm off to see Harry; I'll probably be back about midnight. Sue's in her room, Tom, she said go straight in." Jan waved goodbye and was off, an enigmatic smile on her face making me wonder what was up.
"Sue?" I called.
"I'm in my bedroom, Tom. Come on in."
I'd never been in Sue's bedroom before. Our relationship was heading towards what I hoped and indeed expected would be a full one, but so far our intimacy had ended at me caressing her breasts. Very nice breasts they are, too, lovely handfuls, and there was promise in our intimacy. I pushed open the bedroom door and stopped dead in my tracks.
Sue was lying on the bed, enveloped in Christmas wrapping paper from neck to toe. Now I understood Jan's enigmatic smile, for there was no way Sue could have wrapped herself. There was a big bow tied around her waist, with a gift tag.
"Merry Christmas, Tom," she said softly, a touch of pink on her cheeks. "Come and unwrap your present. I hope you like it."