It had been a few weeks since Olivia had started planning Lindsay's birthday at the Hart estate, and although her enthusiasm was contagious, my mind was focused on what mattered most to me: the gift. I didn't want something just pretty or expensive; I wanted something that reflected what Lindsay meant to me. Something as special as she was.
I was sitting on the back porch of the house, watching as the sun slowly sank behind the trees. The sky was painted in orange and purple hues, but my mind was elsewhere, lost in a sea of ideas. I'd been turning the matter over in my head for days, and though I knew Lindsay didn't expect anything extravagant — she never did — I wanted this year to be different. I wanted to give her something that symbolized our bond, something she could treasure forever.
After several minutes of reflection, I finally made a decision. I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I knew by heart but rarely called. My father answered on the third ring, his voice as cold and controlled as ever.
"Sack? What is it?" he asked without preamble.
"Hi, Dad. I need to ask you a favor," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral.
There was a brief pause before he responded.
"Go ahead."
I took a deep breath before speaking.
"Do you remember the necklace Mom gave me years ago, the one with the star-shaped pendant… Could you send it to me? It's important."
Another pause, this one longer. I could picture him adjusting his glasses as he processed my words.
"The necklace from your mother?" His tone shifted slightly, as if mentioning her stirred something within him. "Why do you need it now?"
"It's for Lindsay," I explained, feeling a lump in my throat as I recalled the necklace's origin. "Her birthday is coming up, and I want to give it to her as a gift. I think... I think it would be perfect for her."
My father sighed, and for the first time in years, I heard a hint of emotion in his voice.
"That necklace was very special to your mother. She bought it not long after you were born. She used to say that every time she looked at that star, she thought of you and the future you'd have." He paused, and when he spoke again, his tone was softer. "I suppose if anyone deserves to have it now, it's Lindsay."
I nodded, though I knew he couldn't see me.
"Thank you, Dad. It means a lot to me that you trust me with this."
"I'll send it tomorrow," he replied. "And, Sack… take care. I'm sure your mother would be proud of you."
I hung up after a few more words of farewell, but my father's last words echoed in my mind for several minutes. I stayed staring at the horizon, recalling the day my mother had given me that necklace.
Flashback
I was ten years old, and my mother was sitting across from me in the backyard of our house. It was a sunny afternoon, but her smile seemed brighter than any ray of light. In her hands, she held a small velvet box, blue and delicate.
"Sack, I want you to have this," she said, extending the box to me gently.
I opened it and found a simple yet elegant necklace, with a star-shaped pendant. I looked at my mother, confused.
"Why are you giving this to me?"
She smiled, but there was a glimmer of sadness in her eyes that I couldn't understand at the time.
"Because you're my star, Sack. You've always been my greatest pride, and I know that someday you'll shine so brightly that you'll light the way for others. This necklace is a reminder of that."
I didn't fully grasp what she meant until years later, after she was gone. That's when I realized the necklace wasn't just a gift—it was also a promise: a promise that no matter what happened, I had to keep moving forward and find my own light.
I returned to the present with a sigh. That necklace was priceless, not just for what it represented to me but also because it contained a piece of my mother. Giving it to Lindsay wasn't just a gesture of love; it was a way of sharing a part of myself that I'd never shared with anyone before.
As I put my phone back in my pocket, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned my head and saw Olivia walking toward me with a mischievous expression on her face.
"What are you up to, Sack?" she asked, crossing her arms and stopping in front of me. "You've got that look of someone hiding something."
I smiled, shaking my head.
"I'm not hiding anything. I was just making a call."
Olivia raised an eyebrow, skeptical.
"Uh-huh, sure. A suspicious call just a week before Lindsay's birthday. Come on, spill it. What are you planning?"
I sighed, knowing there was no avoiding her curiosity.
"I was talking to my dad about a gift for Lindsay. I asked him to send me something… something important to me."
Olivia's eyes lit up.
"Oh! A sentimental gift! I knew you had something great planned. What is it?"
"I'd rather not say yet," I replied, avoiding details. "But I think it'll be something special for her."
Olivia pouted dramatically.
"Ugh, I hate it when you're so mysterious. Well, maybe you can help me with my dilemma. I've spent weeks trying to decide what to get Lindsay, but nothing seems good enough. I've considered everything from personalized jewelry to extravagant experiences, but none of my ideas feel perfect."
I laughed at her frustration.
"Maybe you should stop looking for something grand and focus on something that truly means something to her. Lindsay doesn't need expensive or elaborate things; what she values is the intention behind the gift."
Olivia looked at me thoughtfully.
"Hmm, you're right. But how do you know what she'll really appreciate?"
"Think about what makes her happy," I suggested. "Maybe it's something related to her passion for medicine, or something that reminds her of special moments you've shared together. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones with emotional meaning."
Olivia nodded slowly, processing my words.
"Maybe I should make her something handmade. Like a photo album or… a memory book! I could include all our adventures together, from the moment we met. It would be unique, something only I could do."
I smiled, impressed by her idea.
"That sounds perfect. Lindsay will love it."
Olivia grinned widely, regaining her usual energy.
"Exactly! Thanks, Sack. I knew you could help me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got work to do. This memory book isn't going to make itself."
She ran off, leaving me alone again. I watched her disappear into the house and allowed myself to relax for a moment. I knew that no matter what we decided to give Lindsay, what truly mattered was the love and effort we put into it. And with my mother's necklace, I was certain I'd found the perfect gift.