The husband was running late, and Clara was on edge.
Truth be told, she wasn’t so much worried about his tardiness—she was anxious about what kind of gift Simon would buy for his mother-in-law.
Today they were heading to her mother’s birthday, and Simon, barely awake, had leapt out of bed and rushed off to the shops.
When Simon finally burst through the front door, Clara hurried to greet him with relief. But when she saw him clutching something large, odd, and wrapped in plain brown paper under his arm, she asked with concern:
— Did you get it?
— Got it, — he replied proudly.
— And what did you buy?
— Here, look… — Simon strode into the room, placed the package on the table, and began unwrapping it.
Soon, Clara saw a battered, peculiar, and utterly incomprehensible antique box on the table.
Her heart sank, and with a tragic expression, she asked in horror:
— What *is* that?
— It’s a gramophone! — Simon said cheerfully, opening the lid, and the box instantly transformed into a gramophone. — Can’t you tell? I paid almost ten thousand for it at the flea market. So? What do you think?
— At the flea market? Ten thousand? Have you lost your mind… — Clara was on the verge of tears. — Do you realize what you’ve done?
— What have I done? — Simon asked carelessly. — It’s a rare find. By the way, it still works. The seller played a record for me. It sounds like something out of a movie. Honestly, I’ve always wanted one of these myself. But as usual, it’s not for me—it’s for your mom…
— Oh, sure… — Clara was ready to yell at him, but despair left her too drained to even try. — Lucky her… Stop playing dumb. We could’ve just given Mom the ten thousand, and that would’ve been that. Ten thousand… And with Mom and Dad still caring for my bedridden grandma. If Mom finds out how much that box cost, she’ll never forgive us…
— Oh, come on, why are you making things up? — Simon shrugged. — We just won’t tell her the price.
— No! — Clara finally found her voice. — We’re not giving her that ridiculous gramophone. I’ll give her something of mine instead. This thing… You probably bought it on purpose to make fun of Mom, didn’t you? Admit it. On purpose?
— Nothing of the sort! — Simon snapped, offended. — And I’m giving it to her anyway. That’s my decision.
— You won’t! — Clara stamped her foot. — She hates all this old junk. She can’t stand it. She’s modern. I know her taste better than you do.
— I saw vintage records at your parents’ house with my own eyes, — Simon countered, undeterred. — That’s why I bought it. I thought she’d love it.
— Those are Grandma’s records. — Clara began rummaging through the closets for a suitable gift. — Why does she even keep that old stuff? Ugh, you’re such a… klutz… You can’t even pick a gift for an elderly woman. — She pulled out a large, brand-new blanket from the closet. — Look, here’s something nice. Why not this? It’s a great gift.
— And I’ll give the gramophone from me, — Simon repeated stubbornly. — If not to your mom, then to your dad. Got it? By the way, in ten years, this thing will be priceless. It’s a piece of history. You could sell it to a museum for a fortune.
— Yeah, right… Dreamer… Fine, do whatever you want… — Clara waved him off dismissively, wrapping the blanket in a pretty bag. — At least we have a gift. But buying old junk for ten thousand… You’re nuts…
— Don’t worry, don’t worry… — Simon hurriedly rewrapped his purchase. — Think of it as my investment in your mom’s legacy.
The whole way to her mother’s house, Clara nagged Simon.
When they arrived at her mother’s apartment, Clara handed her mom the blanket, while Simon hid his gift behind his back.
— Simon, why are you lingering back there? — Clara’s father asked. — Come on in.
— John, I need your advice… — Simon winked at his father-in-law, and they began whispering in the hallway.
Meanwhile, the small family gathering settled around the table. They wheeled in Clara’s elderly grandmother in her wheelchair. Soon, Simon and John joined them, empty-handed.
The usual festivities began. Toasts and congratulations filled the air. When it was Simon’s turn to toast the birthday woman, he addressed her:
— I want to raise a glass to the mother of our wonderful birthday lady! And not just raise a glass, but also give something special to your wonderful family, dear Mom.
As the intrigued relatives exchanged glances, Simon dashed to the hallway and returned with his treasure.
— Here! — he exclaimed. — This is from me! A genuine gramophone!
The relatives exchanged puzzled looks. Suddenly, Clara’s nearly paralyzed grandmother stirred, fidgeting in her chair as if trying to stand, and, with all her strength, reached toward the gift. Then, coming to her senses, she pointed toward her room and rasped to her son-in-law, John:
— Johnny… There… They’re there…
The guests stared at her in astonishment. The table buzzed with excitement, and within moments, John returned from Grandma’s room with a stack of vintage gramophone records. And then, the room filled with the scratchy, magical voice of a bygone era: “The weary sun gently bid farewell to the sea…”
At first, the family froze, then leapt from their seats and began to dance. Grandma, swaying her head to the music in her wheelchair, sat smiling, lost in memories of her youth.
When the song ended, Clara’s mother rushed to Simon and kissed him warmly, unable to hold back her emotions. And Clara, caught off guard, burst into tears like a little girl…
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