by Sandy Steele

Created on: September 12, 2009

"You have how many hats?" Kendra asked her boyfriend of three months. She had never known anyone with so many. She thought it would be the perfect birthday present for her new man.

"It's really not a lot." Kent answered sheepishly. He could tell by the sound of her voice the shock and utter amazement at the amount of hats he had. At that moment he wished he could see her face. He was at work and she had called to ask him what he wanted for his birthday. Asking about hats, had led them to this point in the conversation.

"One hundred and fifty two hats are not a lot?" Her voice went slightly higher than it normally did. "I guess I should just take your birthday present back then, since I am sure that you have it already."

"You don't have to." he was trying to make her feel better. It would have worked, but she was already too wound up to be consoled. "I have got to get back to work. How about we go out tonight and talk about my hat fetish?"

"Fine; talk to you later." Kendra hit the end button on her cell phone. Grateful she hadn't told him where exactly she was. The store had wall to wall, floor to ceiling hats. She was sure she could find one he didn't have. Walking through the store she picked out a few with funny sayings, team logos, and one that simply said 'I love you' on it.

With her choices in hand she spotted an employee and waved them over. "How can I help you today?" the young man asked.

"I need some help picking out a birthday present for my boyfriend. Only problem is I don't know which hat he'd like the most."

"It looks like you've picked out some good selections here." The employee wasn't sure what she wanted exactly. "What seems to be the problem in deciding?"

"I called him just now to get a better idea and now I'm even more confused." Thinking about the conversation sent Kendra's head in a whirl. She needed to pick a hat and get out of the store. "He already has over a hundred hats, and we've only been dating three months, so I haven't even seen them all."

"Well, if I was getting a hat from a beautiful girl it would mean the most to get this one," he said pointing to the hat she was leaning towards buying.

"Alright, I'll get it." she said. "I'll just put these back and met you at the register."

"No need, I can put those back for you." the employee said.

"Thank you," she said looking for a name tag, "Brett."

She quickly paid for the hat and left the store. That night at dinner she couldn't wait to give Kent his birthday present, "I know it's still a few days away, but I have to give this to you."

He looked at the package she had brought along with them. Smiling he accepted the gift and opened it. There on the red hat in bold white letters were the words, 'I love you'.

"Now, this one I don't have." He said looking up at her, "Thank you. I love you too!"

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