– Mom, I am in love. Her name is Eva. She has blue eyes and long braids.

Alex decided to tell mom about his feelings on the way to the store. Mother smiled to her son through an automobile mirror, and, without turning back, she held out her hand to his chair. Mother always supported Alex and this gesture, when she took little hand of her son into hers, depending on the circumstances meant “you are doing everything right”, “i am with you”, “everything will be ok”.

– Does Eva know about it, honey?
– Yes, and I think she likes me too. - Alex told solemnly
– Well, that's great! This means we need to look for a present for your friend. There is very little time left before Christmas.

They parked a car and went to the shopping mall. Alex was 8 years old and he never liked shopping with his mom. But this time was different. He knew that this time he would see a big Christmas tree and Santa, that's why he obediently went with mom to buy her some very  necessary cream.

Everything shone with christmas lights in the shopping mall. Every store, every corner was decorated in the best traditions of Christmas, and most important thing - huge Christmas tree in the middle - didn't leave any visitor indifferent. Under that tree happy Santa Claus greeted children and sat them on his knees while parents were trying to take a few memorable pictures. Alex didn't miss his chance to tell a good old man about how good boy he was all year long and about his plan to find a perfect gift for his schoolmate Eva.

After Christmas tree and Santa Alex went to a makeup store with his mum. All he needed here - a little patience, while his mom was looking for a perfect “creme”. That was why they came here at the first place. He walked slowly after his mom between shelves full of unknown names, tubes and boxes. He heard his mom talking to the consultant while he was patiently waiting for her. He was really surprised that his mom had chosen what she needed very quickly and in 2 minutes they walked out of the store carrying a little bag with a silver inscription Lancôme.

The most important was still awaiting - to find perfect gift for Eva. Alex didn't have any idea what 8 year old girls like. For the longest hour in the world he and his mom walked through different stores,  but they didn't find anything. Finally, they decided that book is a perfect gift - Alex took some girlish book from the shelve and asked to wrap it in the gift wrap. 

Alex was really worried that evening. He was worried that Eva wouldnt like a book, or maybe she had already got the same one. Or, maybe she was waiting for some special gift? How could he possibly know what do these girls want?  For instance, everything was pretty straight with his mom - she was so happy with her new creme, like it was not a creme, but some kind of an awesome toy. She had already called to all of her friends to tell about a purchase, without even having opened it yet.

It was the last day of school. Alex was looking forward to meet Eva, especially he was waiting for a moment when he would give her a present. Mom had driven Alex to school and returned home. Spring cleaning began in a half an hour. Not that it was a planned cleaning - she just couldn't find her creme anywhere. It wasn't where it was supposed to be - on the shelf in the bathroom, so she started to look for it everywhere - in the kitchen, it the closet, in Alex's room, under the couch even in the fridge. But, it seemed that desirable creme had vanished. 

Mom asked Alex and dad about her creme during the dinner. But both of them didn't know where it could possibly be. Alex was excitedly telling his parents about his present and how much Eva loved it! Happy girl even said that it was the best gift she had ever had. 

After dinner mom's phone rang - unknown number. Sitting in the living room Alex could hear his mother talking. He heard how the tone of her voice was changing - first she seemed surprised, maybe even a little angry and then she started laughing  really loud and till the end the conversation was light and funny. In a little while mother came into a room, hiding hands behind her back. She turned to Alex.

– Honey, I think that you forgot to do something really important today
– What, mom? – Alex didn't look at mom, he was watching very interesting cartoon 
– You didn't give your gift to Eva

Alex slowly turned his head on mom - he looked surprised. Mom  pulled hands from behind - she was holding that exact book in the gift wrap. It was clear that the book had recently been held in a place that was not very suitable for it - mom had found it easily under the Alexe's mattress.
I am so sorry, mom… I… I just wanted to give Eva the best gift… 

But mom already knew what kind of gift it was. Because, 15 minutes earlier Eva's mom had told her, that adult creme is not suitable gift for a little girl.


Mom and Alex went to Evas home the next morning. Alex was sitting in his chair silent and with a lowered look. Mom turned to Alex when a car stopped and took his hand. He knew that she was not upset about what he did, but he was really ashamed of what Eva would think. Mom smiled gently and handed a book in a shabby gift paper  to her son.

Alex was excitedly telling his mom about how interesting book turned out to be and how he and Eva read it to each other. Mom was driving and smiling, and a little package with silvery imprinting was safely laying on the front seat.