By Ann Dandron-Duke
Seventy one dollars and eighty seven cents. That was all. And sixty dollars of it was in quarters. Quarters saved one or two at a time by pulling the cushions off of the furniture and searching the crevices for wayward change. Three times Kimberly counted it. Seventy one dollars and eighty seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas.
There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and have a good cry. How was she ever going to buy her beloved Charles the collection of Vogue records that he wanted so badly? Tomorrow would be Christmas Day and she hadn't a clue. The last year had been one of questionable fortune for Kimberly and Charles, who had always led an uncomplicated and happy life. It all started when they met the Frenchman. He was charming, all right, but when they decided to sink their life savings into that antiques shop with him, they had no idea what a big venture they were undertaking. Just to be on the safe side, Kimberly had kept her job at the airplane factory, but the expenses of renovating the building for the store had made their finances a bit precarious this year.
Charles, who was frugal, even in good times, was particularly troubled by their current dilemma. He knew that it would not always be this way. He knew that eventually, their shop would pay for itself and their lives would be prosperous again, but that wasn't going to make this Christmas any easier.
Now, there were two possessions of Charles and Kimberly's in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Charles' 1930s "RCA Victor Special" portable phonograph that had been designed by John Vassos. It had been his father's, and was the most treasured piece in his collection. The other was Kimberly's collection of early Barbie fashions. She had saved this collection from when she was a little girl. Even though she had sold her extremely rare #1 Barbie years earlier to put her younger brother through college, she had always kept these very rare outfits as a remembrance of her childhood.
Charles was all she had now. What use were these old Barbie clothes to her? She didn't even have a Barbie to dress in them. She quickly picked herself up off of the couch, got dressed, and jumped in her car. She rushed to see her friend Kathie Queen, a kind woman who had a little antiques shop on the outskirts of town. Kathie had been urging Kimberly to sell her the collection, promising that she had a client who would pay top dollar. Surely Kathie would jump at the chance.
She did. The car hardly had time to cool down before Kimberly was on her way again. As Kimberly traveled to the east side of town, she hoped that terrible Old Tom had not sold the record collection that her beloved Charles had coveted for so long. Old Tom was a miserable sort, who had collected many wonderful things over the years but was never very anxious to part with any of them. Kimberly recalled the auction where Old Tom outbid Charles to buy the collection that he had pursued for so long. Old Tom promised Charles then that if he ever sold the records it would be to him, and Kimberly was hoping that Old Tom would be a man of his word.
It ended up taking a lot of coaxing, but Kimberly was finally able to persuade Old Tom to part with the collection. She hurried home to wrap the special gift for her beloved.
By 7 o'clock, dinner was made and the candles were lit. Under their humble little Christmas tree sat the most beautifully wrapped gift. Kimberly couldn't wait to see Charles' face when he saw the records.
Charles stepped through the door. He looked exhausted. She feared he was not in a good mood.
"Merry Christmas, Charles!" She waited for him to respond.
He was so touched to see all of the effort she had expended to make their meager Christmas a festive one. From behind his back, he produced a beautifully wrapped box and presented it to his bride.
"Why, Charles, I didn't expect this. Whatever could it be?"
As she pulled off the wrapping paper, she began to recognize the familiar packaging.
"Oh, my! Could it be," she gasped.
It was. The #1 Barbie! Just like the one Kimberly had as a little girl. And in its original packaging. Not only was it in pristine condition, it was a brunette. Only one brunette was made, for every five blondes. Charles must have gone to great expense.
Little did Kimberly know, but Charles had also gone to great lengths. The Barbie had belonged to The Duchess, a well-known dealer who had bought it for a song at a house sale. Everyone resented her for it. She rarely went to house sales and lucked into this find. She wasn't even a Barbie collector. She didn't deserve to have it.
Kimberly realized that if Charles had gone to The Duchess to buy it, he must have paid an awful lot of money. Where could he have come up with it?
She began to cry.
Charles was puzzled. He couldn't understand it. He had gone to such trouble to please her. How could she be unhappy?
Kimberly told Charles the story of the sale of her clothing collection to Kathie Queen as she reluctantly presented him with her gift. She hoped he would be pleased.
As Charles unwrapped the gift, he began to shake his head. How ironic this was all turning out to be. Little did his wife know that in order to get her the Barbie, he had sold his treasured record player to Deco Bob, who'd been after it for many years. Deco Bob was ruthless. Charles had sworn years earlier to never do business with him, which had made it all the more difficult. He thought about how Old Tom and Deco Bob were probably having a good laugh right now, at his expense.
Kimberly thought about poor Kathie Queen. Surely Kathie bought the clothing collection thinking to sell it to The Duchess to go along with her #1 Barbie. Now, what would Kathie do with it?
Suddenly, both Charles and Kimberly began to laugh. How silly they were! Both of them giving up their most prized possessions to make the other happy. They decided they would save their money and hopefully, one day, they would be able to buy back their treasured items. But, even if they didn't, they were reminded of just how happy they were to have each other.
The magi, as you know, were wise men - wonderfully wise men - who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones. And here, I have related to you the tale of two foolish children who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But, in a last word to the wise, let it be said that of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. They are the magi.