Fur Jacket

That last Christmas
Family gathered as always
Tree gaily decorated with colorful lights
Christmas carols playing on the stereo
Grandma and Grandpa and Auntie and Uncle gathered around
His gift to her was wrapped in shiny dark green paper
The bow a festive red and green
Her looked was surprised but excited
She took the package from his hands opened it and gasped
Inside was new jacket
Dark brown and shining animal fur it glistened
“It’s from a beaver,” he said proudly
Tears forming she held it to her chest
“It’s lovely,” she said caressing the soft pelt. “Thank you.”
“Put it on.”
She did and then spun a ballet twirl modeling
She looked beautiful everyone clapped
“Thank you so much,” she whispered
The boy their son watched
He touched the jacket once
He met his mother’s eyes sparkling not with joy
But with a deep inner sadness
A year later her husband would be gone
It was as if that night she already knew
Fancy new jacket or not.