Summary
Analysis
On Christmas Eve Liesel decides to give Rudy a present, so she goes with him and they break into Alex Steiner's shop. She picks out a suit for Rudy and has him try it on, but then trips over a mannequin. Concerned, Liesel bends over him and they almost kiss – Death wants them to kiss - but instead she helps him up and wishes him a Merry Christmas.
Liesel's present involves the part of stealing that Rudy likes – empowering himself – but she also makes it seem like a gift from the absent Alex Steiner, rather than a desecration of his shop. Death reminds the reader again of the tragedy in Rudy and Liesel's childhood romance.