[18+] The Gift That Keeps on Giving

The Gift That Keeps on Giving River’s phone buzzed with a call from her best friend, Aften. Aften was in a bit of a bind and needed a favor. Her step-dad had been struggling with loneliness ever since Aften’s step-mom walked out on him, and despite his heartache, he had always treated Aften with kindness. Wanting to do something special for him this Christmas, Aften turned to River for help. She asked if River could swing by his house to “cheer him up,” suggesting that maybe she could bring some food and tidy up a bit. However, River interpreted “cheering him up” in a way that was entirely different! The next day, when Aften discovered what River had done with her step-dad, she was not only furious with her friend but also felt a pang of jealousy. So while feeling a bit left out, she decided to give him a little gift of her own.