Alter the gift

I end up having to browse another store until I find what I am looking for. Then add the third item to the box, and have it wrapped.

The card is written vaguely as to not spoil the surprise of opening the box. The card and gift give context to each other. So when I add fancy white panties that are in size XXL, the intent of the message changes as well.

It took an extra couple days to find it in your size

Now the message sounds more like a pointed jab. “You may be a tiny woman, but you are still a big ass.” And there is also a second effect where the insult of underwear makes the misspelled ‘Penelopee’ on the card feel much more intentional, maybe even a piss joke.

Victoria, you sure are one spiteful bitch.

A jolt of glee shoots through me as I appreciate how a couple insidious changes can have outsized results. Victoria will probably figure out I did something eventually, but I am counting on the passive-aggressive way she and her mom argue around the things rather than what they are actually upset about. It could be weeks or months before Victoria understands there was a third item in the box. In the meantime, the hostility would reopen old grudges and could spawn new distracting conflicts. I laugh to myself.