The Gag Gift

"What is your return policy?" I asked the Big 5 cashier. I was as concerned with getting my money back as I was with not having to keep the roller skates. It was Kait's birthday, and she had been asking for roller blades for the past few weeks. Since roller blades were not our area of knowledge and expertise, Melinda had sent us information and prices for the quality brands and styles. The roller skates displayed next to the roller blades at the sports store where Dad and I were perusing gave me the idea. These white skates with purple wheels and laces would be perfect. I thanked the cashier, tucked the receipt in my wallet where I was sure not to lose it, and left the store.

Placing the large, brightly-wrapped box on Kait's lap later that night, I tried hard to mask my anticipation. As soon as the paper was torn back to reveal a cardboard box, she grinned, "Roller blades!" Perfect! Right on track. Her grin changed to a bit of a confused frown as more of the paper was torn away and she saw the picture of the roller skates on the side. She laughed, "I hope that's not what's inside the box." The box lid lifted to reveal the purple and white skates. She laughed harder, "No! I hope this is a gag gift!"

"That isn't what you wanted?" we asked, laughing and trying to look innocent. "That's what you've been asking for." "Oh, that's not what you wanted?" we said to her response. "Maybe what's in this one, then." Another box of the same size and shape was pulled from behind the chair. The black, grey, and red roller blades that she pulled from that box were more what she was hoping for and expecting. But as you can see from these pictures, I think she secretly liked the skates best.