Andy Gerard limped into Katie’s Koffee Kafe, a hand pressed to the small of his back.

Roger Meyer, his long-time coffee buddy, rose from a small table in the back, and strode quickly to the counter where Andy leaned.

“You get smacked jaywalking, Andy?” Roger asked with real concern.  “Should I call your wife?

“Christmas shopping in town.  No luck.  Get this way when I’m super-stressed.”

“Take a load off at the table.”  Roger pointed.  “I’ll get your coffee.”

A minute or two later they both sat sipping small mocha javas.

“No bags, I see,” Roger said.  “The grandkids can’t be that hard to shop for.”

“The wife takes care of them and our kids.  I just have to find something for her,” Andy moaned.

“Hey, get her jewelry.  That always works for me.  Trish is getting a pendant this year.”

Andy grimaced.  “No jewelry or perfume.  Even from the kids it goes back.  And forget clothes.  She has her own tastes, barely tolerates what I choose to wear.”

Roger leaned toward him.  “Buy her some of that fancy cookware.  Connie’s a great cook.”

“She’d throw it at me,” Andy retorted.  “That or any kind of appliance.  ‘Those aren’t gifts,’ she says.  ‘I buy those when I need ‘em’.”

“Looked on Amazon?  Everyday I get e-mails advertising their special deals.”

“So do I,” Andy replied.  “And I’ve seen nothing that excites me.”

Katie, the stocky proprietor, came to the table shaking her head.  “Give her a gift card, Andy.”

“Ah, that’s not a real gift either,” he replied.

Katie smirked.  “That’s what she’s giving you.”

“How do you know?”

“She came in the other day and bought one of mine.”

Andy smiled.  He finally had his answer.  He’d buy a gift card  at her favorite hangout,Tilly’s Tea House.