It wasn't until almost 4:30 I noticed the beautifully wrapped box sitting next to the phone on the sideboard desk in the foyer that I remembered again. The smiling couple who climbed the stairs with their luggage thumping behind them forgotten, I lunged for the small box, heard the rattle and felt my heart shrivel.

Mom. Groan.

With Petunia in tow, balancing my oversized purse, my phone, car keys and the present from Daisy-while she leaned out the front door and waved ...