Chapter 49. Tears

Even though there are now officially only five days left till Christmas, I still have no idea what to get Mark for the holiday. My dad is easy. Every year, instead of buying each other a new present, we give each other the same same one. Socks and an obnoxious Christmas sweater for the following year, which can be hung up as a decoration then. The socks are worn because we take pleasure in being stereotypical, but in addition to that, they are amusing, and they frequently compliment the hideousness of the sweater. The practice of donning the sweater is nothing more than a lighthearted tradition. Because Maddy is now a part of the yearly custom, my dad and I are going shopping today to select a present for her to open on Christmas morning. When we get there, maybe I'll be able to figure out what to get Mark for a present and then get it to him before we go.

"Ready?" Immediately after I got into his car, my father questioned me about something.

"Sure." I say.

I get a