费斯·安德鲁·贝德福特 /FaithAndrewsBedford

, allthreewoulddictatethank-yousthatIwouldincludewithdrawingsthey', SarahandDrewwereoldenoughtowriteownthank-younotes, however, theywoulddosoonlywithmuchprodding.

“HaveyouwrittentothankGrandyforthebookyet?” I'dask.“WhatdidyousaytoAuntDorothyaboutthatsweater?” Invariably, I'dbemetwithmumblesandshrugs.

Oneyear, inthedaysfollowingChristmas, I', .

Somethingsnapped.“Everyoneintothecar.” Isaid.

“Wherearewegoing ?” Sarahasked, bewildered.

“TobuyaChristmaspresent.”

“Butit'safterChristmas.” sheprotested, puttingonhercoat.

“Noarguing,” Isaidinatonethatmeantexactlythat.

Thekidspiledintothecar.“You'regoingtoseejusthowmuchtimethosewhocareaboutyouspendwhentheygiveyouapresent.” Itoldthem.

HandingDrewapadofpaperandapencil, Isaid, “Pleasemarkdownthetimewelefthome.”

Whenwereachedthevillage, .

Burstingfreefromtheconfinesofthecar, thechildrenheadedfortheirsleds.“Notsofast, ” Isaid.“We'vegottowrapthepresents.” Thekidsslouchedinside.

“Drew, ” Iasked, “didyounotethetimewegothome?” Henodded.“Okay, pleasetimethegirlswhiletheywrapthepresents.”

'dtiedthelastbow, theylookedupexpectantly.“Howlongdidthisalltake?” IaskedDrew.

Glancingathisnotes, hesaid, “Ittookus28minutestogettotownand15minutestobuythepresents.Thenitwas38minutestogethome, becausewehadtobuygas.”

“Andhowlongdidittakeustowraptheboxes?” Eleanorasked.

“Eachofyoudidonepresentintwominutes, ” Drewsaid.

“Andhowmanyminuteswillittaketomailthesepresents?” Iasked.

“Fifty-sixminutes, roundtrip, ” Drewfigured.“Ifwedon'tneedgas.”