Christmas is less than two weeks away, and I haven't bought Cindi a present. Each time I ask what she wants, the answer's the same. "I have everything I want or need."

"Gurnee," the conductor calls out. "Next stop, Gurneeee."

I drop my newspaper on the seat, grab my coat and briefcase from the overhead rack and step off the train. Cindi's black Daytona is sitting in the parking lot covered by a thin layer of snow. I yank my blue knit watch-cap down over my ears, hurry to the Daytona, and pull open the door.

I'm greeted by a blast of hot air and the words, "Hi, Darling."

I yank the door closed before I lean over and kiss my girlfriend.

"Guess what?" Cindi said as she shifts the car into gear and pulls out of the parking lot.

"You found what you want for Christmas?"

She bats me lightly on the arm. "Oh, poo, you're no fun."

"Maybe not, but I'm good in bed."

"That's why I keep you around."

"So, what did you find?"

"For being a smart-ass, I'm not going to tell you."

"Then I'm going to have a hard time buying it for you."

Cindi increases the wiper's speed. "Good point. How about I give you a hint."

"Fair enough."

"Ready," she said.

"As I can be."

"They're dark brown."

"A pair of squirrels."

"No, silly, It's a pair of boots. I saw them at the mall this afternoon."

"That wasn't much of a hint."

"Maybe not, but that's what I want. The store had one pair left in my size, so I asked the salesman to hold them for me. He said he would if I came back before they closed. You don't mind, do you?"

I didn't see I had a choice, so I said, "I don't mind. Do you want to go before or after dinner?"

"After, I want to change."

I do the dishes while Cindi changes. When she comes back to the kitchen, she's wearing a short, green pleated skirt, a red, ugly sweater, black boots, and a Santa Claus hat topped by a white pom-pom. The head of a pussy cat, with a red twinkling nose and reindeer antlers, stares at me from the front of the sweater. The words 'Have an Ugly Xmas' circle the cat.

She twirls around. "Well, what do you think?"

"Very sexy, but why the panties? That's not like you."

"I know, but it's cold outside, and I don't want the pussy to catch a cold."

"Good thinking," I said as I grab the coat I left lying on the chair.

The windshield wipers are going full blast by the time we arrive at the mall. I pull up to the main entrance, drop Cindi off, and look for a parking space. Fifteen minutes later, I shake the snow off my coat, push open the revolving doors and look for Cindi. She's watching a line of children waiting to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.

"Thinking about talking to Santa?" I said as I walked up and stood next to her.

"Do you think he'd bring me a new vibrator?"

"I don't know. Do you want to wait and find out?"

"What time is it?"

"9:10."

"I'd better pass. The boot store closes in 50 minutes. Come on."

We ride the escalator to the second floor, get off and turn left.

"It's right down here," Cindi said as she leads me past a Yogurt Shop and a men's clothing store. She stops when we reach a high-end store specializing in women's boots. The glass show windows feature boots of every color and description.

"That's them." Cindi points to a pair of calf-high brown leather boots adorned with straps and silver buckles. "What do you think?"

"They'd be sexy as hell with the right outfit."

"Do you want to wait here or come in with me?"

The store doesn't look crowded, but I said, "I'll wait out here."

As luck would have it, there's a wooden bench sitting against the wall opposite the store. I sit down and watch Cindi walk up to the front desk, where a boyish-looking dark hair guy greets her. He says something, but I'm not good at reading lips, points to a row of seats on his left, and disappears through a curtain into the back of the store. Cindi looks through the windows and smiles as she walks to the seats, removes her coat, and sits down.

When she spreads her legs, I know what she's getting me for Christmas.

The salesman returns carrying a large boot box and sets it on the floor. He pulls a boot fitting stool over and sits down facing Cindi's spread thighs. He opens the box and hands Cindi one of the boots. While Cindi inspects the boot, the salesman's eyes inspect what's between her legs.

As she hands the boot back, the salesman makes a comment and points to the back of the store.

Cindi gets up, smiles in my direction, and heads where the salesman pointed.

When Cindi returns, she sits down and spreads her legs-wider than before. The salesman sits on the stool, glances at Cindi's spread thighs, and smiles. He lifts her right foot, higher than necessary, and pulls off her boot. He repeats the procedure with her left foot before sliding on her new boots. His eyes never leave what's under Cindi's skirt.

I want to stay and see what happens, but the fish I ate for dinner is acting up. Thankfully, there's a restroom at the end of the concourse. I'm there longer than I expected. When I get back, Cindi's gone. I peer through the store's windows, but she's not there, neither is the good-looking salesman. I quickly look both ways along the concourse, then hurry to the railing to see if she's on the lower level. I see last-minute shoppers, but no Cindi or boot salesman.

"Where the fuck, did they go?"

I walk the length of the concourse, hoping to catch sight of Cindi or the salesman, but it doesn't happen.

"Fuck!"

Whenever Cindi's doing something trippy, like showing her pussy to the boot salesman, my butterfly companions go crazy. I return to the bench, but I can't sit still. I start pacing. My mind's racing, trying to think of places where she could have gone. "Maybe she went to the van. No, she doesn't know where I parked—the lady's room. I walk down and wait outside. After a few minutes, I give up. I'm heading to the bench when it hits. Why didn't I think of it before? She's telling Santa what she wants for Christmas. I make a quick U-turn, take the escalator to the main floor, and hurry over to where Santa's talking to the last kid in line. It's not Cindi.

"Shit!" Back to the second floor. I'm stepping off the elevator when Cindi and the boot salesman come walking toward me. We pass without speaking, but Cindi smiles. The butterflies are trying to tell me what I already know. "Your girlfriend just fucked the boot salesman."

I stand by the escalator and wait. The salesman hands Cindi the box with her new boots smiles, and walks into the store. Cindi turns, hurries toward me, drops the box at my feet, and hugs me tight.

I return the hug and kiss her tenderly on the lips. They feel sticky.

She snuggles against me. "How did you like your Christmas present?"