Tamara’s Unfriendly Friend, Part II
By Joseph Crisalli

They walked past a few shops down to Grayne's bookstore to look for a book on travel for Bill. When they entered the store, Tamara found a big medical book. It was beautiful--bound in red leather with all sorts of fancy medical drawings.

"Wow!" Tamara said, "I'll bet Johann would like this!"

"Yeah, but look at the price. It's forty-five dollars," Nesta said.

"I've got fifty," Tamara answered.

"But that's for a present for your step-dad," Nesta said.

"But, if I get this book for Johann, maybe he'll like me again!" Tamara wondered out loud.

“What makes you think he doesn’t like you anymore?” Nesta asked.

“He didn’t chat like he usually does,” Tamara answered.

“But, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like you!” Nesta answered with a giggle; “You’re being silly.”

“I am not!” Tamara replied.

Tamara put the book under her arm and headed over to the counter to buy it.

Nesta followed after her quickly, “But, what are you going to do about Bill?”

“Whaddya mean?” Tamara snapped.

“If you spend all your money on this book, you won’t have anything left to buy a present for Bill.” Nesta said.

“Oh,” Tamara answered.

“Your mom gave you all that money so that you could pick out a gift that would be from you, your brother and your sister. She trusted you with it. They all did. You don’t want to let you down.”

“I’ll explain to mom, she’ll understand.” Tamara said, pausing on her way to the counter.

“Will she?” Nesta asked, “I don’t know. I think she’ll be mad. After all, your mom and Bill work very hard. They work so that they can make money for your family—not so that they can buy presents for Johann. Especially, expensive presents.”

“But, I’m buying it. Not my mom,” Tamara said.

“You’re buying it with your mom’s money unless you just happen to have an extra fifty dollars in your pocket.”

“Ummm, no.” Tamara muttered.

“You may be buying it, but your mom is paying for it.” Nesta said.

“You’re no fun!” Tamara answered.

“Sorry,” Nesta said.

“Well, if I don’t get this book for Johann, how will I make him like me again?” Tamara asked.

“Tamara, he still does like you! And, even if he didn’t, do you really want a friend who likes you only because you buy him things?”

“What do you mean?”

Nesta continued, “Don’t you want a friend to like you just because you’re a great person inside? It’s okay to buy gifts for special occasions, like birthdays and stuff, but not because you want to make people like you. You should only give gifts because it makes you feel good to give someone a present. When you give someone a present in order to make them do something…well, that’s just an ugly thing. Giving for the sake of giving is a beautiful thing.”

“I guess you’re right.” Tamara said.

“I know I’m right.” Nesta giggled. Tamara giggled, too. “Now, let’s go get that travel book for Bill like you were supposed to.”

“Okay,” Tamara sighed.

Tamara bought the travel book for Bill. It, too, was very beautiful. And, Tamara felt very good inside. She understood what Nesta meant. She was going to give her stepfather, Bill, this book because she loved him not because she wanted to make him love her. It was a beautiful thing, Nesta was right.

On their way back home, Tamara said, “Let’s stop at Mrs. Conn’s shop.”

“Okay,” Nesta said, “What for?”

“I want to tell Johann that I noticed that he was feeling worried and that I like him.” Tamara answered.

“Now that’s the right way!” Nesta cheered.

When they got to Mrs. Conn’s shop, Tamara went up to Johann at the counter. “Hi Johann!”

Johann looked up from the notes he was studying. “Hi Tamara!” This time he smiled. “I’m glad you came back. I was a little distracted this morning. I hope you didn’t think I was being rude. I didn’t mean to be unfriendly. I’ve just been worried lately about June and the baby and everything.”

“Oh!” Tamara said. She was glad to hear that. “That’s okay Johann.”

“Can I get you anything?” Johann asked.

“No, no. I just wanted to come by and tell you that I saw you were worried. I wish I could help you, but there isn’t much I can do. I guess the only thing that I can do is be your friend and cheer you up because I care about you.”

“Well, Tamara that’s the sweetest, nicest thing anyone has said to me in a long time. Thank you! That was a wonderful thing to say.”

“You’re welcome,” Tamara blushed.

“I’m very fortunate,” Johann continued, “Good friends are the best gift in the world. They’re a gift from God. And, you’re a very good friend.”

“Awwwww…” Tamara said.

Nesta winked at her friend as if to say, “See, I was right.”

Johann waved for Nesta to come over. “You girls want to look at these diagrams with me. Look, these are the muscles in our legs.”

“Oh cool!” Tamara said.

“Ewwwww,” Nesta chuckled.

They spent the rest of the afternoon at Mrs. Conn’s shop chatting with Johann. Everyone had a great time! Tamara realized that Nesta and Johann were right. You can’t make people like you with presents that you can buy in a store. The best present to give someone is your true friendship. Tamara felt very good indeed.