The Gift
by George Kemp

It was to be a great event. Becky was finally getting married. She didn't think she would ever give her heart to anyone else after the blowup with Kevin last year. It had been a particular hard parting. Kevin didn't want to let go and was very nasty to Becky swearing some sort of revenge. But then with passage of time and meeting Mark she had changed her mind.
They had been opening wedding presents for an hour or so, oohing and ahing over most of them with comments like, "Now isn't that typical of Janice. I can't see her sending anything more appropriate." When the current crop of presents had been opened Mark suggested they go to the Mudpie Coffeehouse on Frasier Ave for some coffee and donuts.
They hadn't been there for more than fifteen minutes when a boy came up to them and handed Becky a package. It was obviously another wedding present. There was no clue as to who had sent it; and why deliver it there instead of her home? After thanking the boy, they set about opening it. What a horrible surprise! Inside was a single long-stemmed rose with a human middle finger attached. It was misshapen and utterly grotesque. It was accompanied by a note. The initial shock was almost too much for them. However curiosity beckoned them to examine the finger more closely. To their surprise it turned out to be a very good fake. It was made of plastic, but terrifyingly real.
They opened the note and read.
"I heard you were getting married. Well here's to you kid!!! Kevin."
For awhile they mulled over the significance of the finger. Then it dawned on them. It was Kevin's way of giving her ----the finger.