Free Pink Flamingoed by Steve Demaree Page A

same old dad, but we’re both
doing okay.”
    “Did the packages come?”
    “Yes, Rachel. Can we open them now?” Harry asked.
    “I see what you mean, Mom. The same old Dad. I bet
he’s been sitting by the phone or looking at the boxes ever since they
arrived.”
    “No, I....”
    “You’re right, dear,” her mother corrected.
    “You weren’t supposed to tell, Ethel.”
    “Dad, I lived with you a long time. Mom didn’t have to
tell me.”
    “So, can we open them now?” Harry asked again.
    “No, but I’ll tell you what’s in them. Mom and Dad,
I’ve been so busy. I haven’t called or visited as often as I should, and I
decided to change all of that. I can’t come home more often, but I’ve decided
to stay in touch.”
    Rachel informed her parents that she had gotten them a
computer and cell phones and that someone would be by to teach them how to use
their new toys.
    “Is this going to cost me anything?”
    “Harry!” Ethel hollered through the phone.
    “You’re right, Mom. Same old Dad. No, Dad. Part of my
Christmas present to you is that I’m paying for your monthly Internet service
and your cell phone charges. Plus, I’m paying for someone to come by and teach
you how to use your new gifts. You should receive a call tomorrow.”
    “Honey, do you really think your dad and I’ll be able
to use them?”
    “Mom, if I didn’t think so, I wouldn’t waste that much
money, now would I? Don’t worry. All of them are easier to use than you think.”
    Rachel talked to her parents for almost an hour. She
got caught up on all that they had been up to and told them about everything
that was going on in her life. She gave them her e-mail address and her cell
phone number and told them that she expected to hear from them by e-mail and
cell phone, just as  soon  as  they learned how to use them. Then, Rachel told
her parents goodbye and the three of them expressed their love for each other.
    The next morning Ethel called Cora to tell her about
their Christmas presents from Rachel. She found out that not only were Frank
and Cora getting a computer for Christmas, but so were Barney, Bertha, and Ray
and Doris Orthmyer. All of them would be able to keep in touch with the
Orthmyers by e-mail while the Orthmyers were in Florida.
     
    +++     
     
    “Hello.”
    “Rachel, this is Mom. I’m calling you on my new cell
phone. Dad’s in the other room now sending you an e-mail. He thinks he’s hot
stuff. Oh, honey, I think we’re going to love our presents. Thanks so much for
caring enough to want to stay in touch.”
    “And thank you so much for putting up with me while I
was growing up.”
    “What are you talking about? You were never a problem.
You were a piece of cake compared to your dad.”
    “Yeah, I guess I’d have to agree with you there.”
    “Well, honey, I guess I’d better let you go. Call me,
and be sure and check your e-mail. You’ll have at least two messages if I can
get your dad off the computer.”
     
    +++
     
    Brad sat in the living room wrapping the presents he
bought for his family. When the doorbell rang, he jumped up, hurried to the
door, and smiled when he saw Amy.
    “Come in,” Brad said, grinning from ear to ear.
    “I’m going to be leaving tomorrow, so I just came over
to tell you goodbye. Oh, and I brought you a little something to remember me by
while I’m gone.”
    Amy reached out and handed Brad a wrapped present.
    “Do you want me to open it now?”
    “Please do.”
    Brad tore into the paper until he came to a box sealed
with tape. Then he took out a pocketknife, cut the tape, and opened the box.
“Why, it’s beautiful!” Brad exclaimed. Brad stood there holding a photograph of
a fall scene of a forest, emblazoned with leaves of gold, red, and orange. A
path led through the trees. Sunlight cut through the branches and lit the path
below. Embossed in gold across the bottom of the picture was the scripture
verse Psalm 119:105.
    “Thy Word is a lamp unto my