A New Story: What Card?

As the clock neared 8:45, Marcus started to get up from his chair, intending to see Julie.  Instead, his supervisor came with a data problem for a presentation he would give later in the day.  Marcus needed to look over the numbers to find the problem.  He was disappointed he couldn’t visit Julie as planned. 

He saw she was online at 8:48.  Marcus sent an Instant Message simply stating he wanted to stop by for a visit but was tied up.  Julie started typing a reply but didn’t finish.  One of Marcus’s reports finally came up and he began printing it.  He found it easier to scrutinize numbers on paper than on screen.  When he returned from the printer, Julie had replied, “Sorry.  How was the rest of your weekend?”

“Nice.  Yours”

“Good”

“I’m so sore I can hardly walk lol”

“I’m a little sore too”

“Gotta go get stuff done for boss”

Why didn’t she mention the card he left?  Hadn’t she read it?  Could she have missed it?  Marcus’s supervisor stopped by and asked, “You have the report yet? 

“I just printed it off.  About to go through it with a fine tooth comb.  That’s what my mom always used to say anyway.”

“You need any help?”

“No, I think I know where they error is.  Based on there being a difference of nine in the third category, someone probably transposed a number.  I just need to go through and find it.”

“How long will that take, do you think?”

“Depends on how much of the ledger I have to go through.”

“Good point.  Ok, let me know.”

While Julie’s lack of acknowledgement of the card bothered him, Marcus needed to focus.  As luck would have it, the transposed number was entered near the end of the day.  Therefore, it was nearly two hours of painstaking labor, going line by line, before finding the error.  Once completed, Marcus reran the report and repopulated data into the table in the presentation.  

Marcus looked at his chat with Julie.  Her status showed she was away from her desk.  He sent a message saying, “Glad that’s done.  Wanna take a walk?”

After a few minutes, Julie sent, “Haha”

“No, seriously”

“Just spent the last 2 hours looking at every number in a day’s worth of number”

“I need a break”

“Ok”

Marcus walked to Julie’s cubicle and knocked.  She turned and smiled.  Her face beamed and warmed his heart.  He couldn’t help but smile back.  Marcus remembered reading Romeo and Juliet in high school.  “What light through yonder window breaks?  It is the east and Juliet is the sun.”  He asked, “How are you?”

Julie stood and stepped toward Marcus.  It was clear she was in pain.  She offered, “Oh, my thighs and calves hurt so much.  It wasn’t so bad yesterday but today.  God, it hurts.  I feel like I’m crippled.”

Marcus smiled.  “You want me to carry you?”  He knew he would carry her across the company campus.  He was in love and would do anything for her.

“No, no carrying.  I just need to take a few steps to get things moving.  Then I’ll be ok.”

After walking about for fifteen minutes, the two returned to Julie’s office.  She still had not mentioned the card he left for her.  It was beginning to drive him crazy.  She gave no hint of seeing it, let alone reading it.  Curiosity getting the best of him, Marcus asked, “Did you read the card I left for you this morning?”

“What card?”

“I came in early and left a card on your keyboard.”

“There was no card in my office when I arrived this morning.”

A New Story: The Smile Says It All

Bethany hopped back in the car and immediately turned to face Marcus.  He looked up at her and their eyes met.  She was silent for a moment, letting the quiet build tension in the jeep.  The she smiled and loudly exclaimed, “Ooooo Marcus has a girlfriend!”   

John had been looking at Marcus in the rear view mirror but started laughing as he turned to his friend.  Chuckling, he added, “Dude, what were you thinking?  Girls are trouble.”

 

Bethany hit John in the shoulder saying, “Shut up or you’ll see what trouble is.”

Marcus sheepishly smiled but said nothing.  His spirit was soaring.  He was on such a high he felt he would never return to earth.  He had held hands with Julie.  That would have sustained him for days.  Then, miracle of all miracles, she kissed him.  Oh, could the world look any brighter?  His friends could say all they wanted.  She kissed him! 

 

John continued looking at his friend who simply grinned back at him.  Finally, he asked, “Well?”

 

“Well what?”

 

“You have nothing to say?”

 

Marcus couldn’t stop smiling.  Finally, Bethany turned and began putting on her seat belt, “The smile says it all.” 

 

There was little conversation as John drove to Bethany’s home.  The guys unloaded her things from the back of the jeep and brought them into the apartment.  After John took a bathroom break, the guys were on their way.  Marcus was still all smiles.  Finally, he said, “It was a good day.”

 

“Yes it was.”

 

“The weather was great, except for the rain on the way home, and the hike was good and the company was excellent.”

 

“You mean me, right?”

 

“Of course not, dufus.”

 

“That hurts.”

 

“Thanks for inviting us, buddy.”

 

“Don’t mention it.  Julie’s a nice person.  She’s pretty too.”

 

“I noticed.”

 

“I know you did.”

 

Sunday afternoon, Marcus went to purchase a card for Julie.  He wanted the card to say how he felt but was having trouble picking one.  He knew the card with the sad looking dog wasn’t the one.  He also knew enough to stay away from birthday, anniversary, graduation and sympathy cards.  Fortunately, the clerk was helpful he got one he felt was nice. 

 

Marcus arrived at work early on Monday morning, planning to leave the card on Julie’s computer keyboard.  As he walked down the hallway, no office lights were on.  He peeked into Julie’s cubicle.  No one was there and he didn’t hear any activity in the area.  He stepped in and placed it on the keyboard then went to his office to get the day started. 

A New Story: Inwardly, She Smiled

Once off the trail, John and Bethany, Marcus and Julie walked toward the jeep.  John pulled out the cooler that was filled with Gatorade, sandwiches and cut fruit.  Back packs were removed and placed in the back.  Julie stretched as she looked up at the clouds.  She held her breath and made a low growling noise.  Then she exclaimed, “That was fun but I’m hungry.”

“Here, here!”  “I’m starving!”  ”Me too!”  were the replies. 

They picked a picnic table close to an open area.  As they reached the picnic table, John announced each would receive a Gatorade and a sandwich.  There were 4 small cups for the cut fruit.  When Julie received her ham and cheese sandwich, she noticed it was cut into four sections.  She thought this a bit odd but said nothing.  When Marcus saw this, he chided John, “Dude! Did your mommy make these for you?” 

Bethany jumped in with mock rage.  “I made the sandwiches, you idiot!  When I’m tired I like to make small bites of my food.  I can just nibble and it feels easy.  I can focus on other things.  In this case, I’m going to spread out the blanket and enjoy the sun and trees and clouds.  Then I can relax and munch my lunch.  Try it sometime.” 

With that, Bethany spread out a large blanket, grabbed her food and sat down.  Then she took off her shoes and wiggled her toes.  Finally, she took a long drink of Gatorade and began eating.  John winked and Marcus as her companions joined her.  Julie liked Bethany’s confidence.  She sat down next to Bethany and also removed her shoes.  The guys joined them on the blanket and savored the meal. 

Once the sandwich and Gatorade were gone, Julie leaned back and viewed the sky above.  The deep blue sky was filled with fluffy cumulus clouds.  She loved how light played with the texture of clouds.  Only a sunset could make the scene more alive. 

Far off to the west, convection was building an awesome cumulonimbus cloud.  It was flattening on the top as the top reached the tropopause.  A thunderstorm would be approaching but the group had plenty of time before that would happen.  Meanwhile, all four were in silence gazing toward the heavens.  The only noise was a soft breeze rustling the leaves on the trees and the sound of a few children playing.  In the far distance, the sound of a volleyball game could be heard. 

Marcus was next to Julie.  His head was close to hers and he set his arm so his hand was very close to hers.  Julie was entranced with the canvas above her until his proximity eclipsed her mind.  Even she could not see his hand, she could feel the closeness.  A magnetism was felt between them pulling at them.  Now, rather than seeing the clouds and sky, they highlighted the music suddenly playing in her mind.  She felt a warmth, a glow within her. 

Marcus felt it too.  He wanted to be close to Julie.  He wanted to hold her hand.  He wanted to kiss her.  For now, he was happy just to be next to her.  Shortly, he planned to move his hand and take hold of hers but harbored a tinge of fear she would reject him.  He hoped she felt the same as he.  His hand moved and brushed against hers.  Both felt and jolt.  Then he lifted his hand and sweetly clasped hers.  Julie curled her fingers around his hand and the couple thrilled in the moment.  The world seemed perfect in that moment.  Man and women enjoying each other and taking in the awesome beauty of nature before them.

The group stayed for about an hour.  Bethany sensed something between Marcus and Julie.  When she got up to finish her Gatorade, she spied their hands together.  Inwardly, she smiled but revealed nothing on the outside. 

Ominous clouds loomed during the ride home.  Rain began to spatter loudly on the cover on the back of the jeep.  Lightening began to flash and thunder boomed in reply.  Marcus and Julie had to amplify their voices to be heard over the din.  Their hands were clasped and they looked into the other’s eyes as they spoke.  Soon, Marcus laughed. 

“Julie asked, “What’s so funny?”

He smiled, “Nothing.  I’m just happy.”

She squeezed his hand and smiled in return.  Rain had slowed to a drizzle when the jeep arrived at Julie’s apartment.  Bethany hopped out as Julie pushed the seat forward to exit.  Marcus didn’t want to release her and Julie felt the resistance.  She turned to him and leaned forward and softly kissed him.  Marcus was pleasantly surprised but closed his eyes and kissed back hoping she would feel his passion.  Their lips parted and Julie stepped out of the vehicle.  Her legs started to give out and she instantly felt soreness from the hike.  She groaned as she looked at Bethany, “Oh, I’m feeling it now.”  Bethany chuckled, “I am too, girl.  I’m taking a nice, hot Epsom salt bath when I get home.”

“Good idea.” 

A New Story: Going Down is Harder

Other than playing soccer as a child and softball in middle and high school, Julie never really played sports.  More than anything, she played sports because her siblings did.  She never wanted to lift weights.  She was perpetually dieting to maintain her weight but did like to eat fruits and vegetables.  All things considered, how hard could a hike through the woods be?  You walk, which is something she’s done for nearly 28 years, and you have a backpack with snacks and water.  Simple, right?  So why was she nervous?

She had never hiked in the woods before.  While the park was familiar, the trails were not.  Other than walking by a couple of the trail heads, she had never seen them before.  For Julie, parks were for picnics and sun.  Today would be a new experience. 

John arrived in his jeep with Bethany and Marucs on time at 6:00 in the morning.  She was the last stop since her apartment was closest to the park.  Julie finished putting her hair into a ponytail and walked out the door, slinging her backpack over one shoulder.  The temperature was 45 degree F with a few clouds.  Julie wore tights, a long sleeve shirt and a jacket.  She wanted to keep the chill away since she didn’t like cold weather. 

As she walked up the sidewalk to the car, Bethany opened the door and got out to allow her access to the back seat next to Marcus.  Bethany held out her hand and said, “Hi, I’m Bethany.  Is that what you’re wearing?”

“Well, uh, yes.  Is there something wrong?”

“Well, not unless you like sweating.  It may be cool now but we’ll be going up the big hill and, with carrying your backpack, you’ll be warm soon enough.  Do you have a cooler clothes in your backpack?”

“No.” 

Turning to John, Bethany announced, “We’re going to get some more appropriate clothes.  Hang on guys.  We’ll be right back.”  With that, Bethany took Julie by the arm and the two started walking to Julie’s apartment.  Julie felt absolutely mortified.  She was delaying the group because of her stupidity.  She protested saying, “Its ok.  I’ll be ok.  I have plenty of water and snacks.  Besides, I don’t want to be the reason we are late getting started.”

“It’s not that big of a deal if we don’t start hiking at the planned time.  Your comfort while hiking is.  You need to dress in layers.  If you are hot, you take a layer off.  If you get cold, you put a layer on.  You bought those hiking boots for this hike didn’t you?”

Julie replied, “Yes, I got them last night.  But I got them big and am wearing two pair of socks like the guy at Outdoor World suggested.”  Was it that obvious she was new to all of this? 

“That’s good but they aren’t broke in.  You could still get blisters.”

Once in Julie’s apartment, Bethany went through Julie’s backpack and advised what was needed and not necessary.  Julie was feeling very small when Bethany looked Julie in the eye and said, “Don’t worry about this.  I don’t mind that you don’t know everything.  I’ve been doing this kinda stuff as long as I can remember.  I love the outdoors and I want you to too.  With this change of clothes and bringing some backup shoes, you will enjoy the day.  Then we will all enjoy it too.”

After waiting in the jeep for fifteen minutes, chatting, John said, “Maybe we should see what the delay is.”

“I don’t know what her apartment is.”

“That would be important wouldn’t it?  Let me send Bethany a text.  What could they be doing?”

About that time, the girls were walking up the sidewalk.  Bethany had a contented look on her face but Julie wore her embarrassment.  After getting into her seat, Julie sheepishly said, “Sorry bout the delay guys.” 

Marcus replied, “You got everything you need?”

Bethany said, “Yep, we are ready to go.”

Toward the end of the hike, Julie could feel blisters beginning to form on her left heal and pinkie toe on her right foot.  Also, the ends of her toes felt squished.  She thought back to the beginning of the hike.  The trail went uphill for nearly a mile and her thighs burned.  Her breathing was labored and the sweat was running down her face.  The two couples had paired off by this time.  Marcus asked if she was okay and she nodded in affirmation.  Then he added, “We are almost to the top but going down is harder.”  She didn’t believe him.

Now she believed him.  Muscles are used differently going down than going up. After the exhaustion of going up, Julie’s body didn’t want to deal with going down.  Each step seemed to pound her body.  Her ankles, knees, calves and thighs all hurt.   The woods were thick and Julie couldn’t tell how much further the end was.  She wished every bend in the trail would reveal the parking lot. 

When they finally arrived at the car, John announced it was time for a picnic.  Finally, there was something Julie wanted to do. 

 

A New Story: Company Picnic

Julie drove home with a smile on her face in spite of the way her day started.  Her department had completed a team building exercise at a local park.  There was wide spread displeasure with the attitudes of Marsha and the “29 Club” who complained about this and that.  In general, they made the process and point of the whole exercise difficult.   Due to the “29 Club” purposely moving slower than the rest of the team and murmuring amongst themselves, discontentment was building in management and the rest of the group.

One big point of contention with other employees was that management did nothing about it.  Several employees had softly discussed with each other in the previous months the managers and supervisors were afraid of the “29 Club.”  It certainly seemed to be on display in the park.  When the department head gave instructions for the exercise, Marsha and Anita, Marsha’s partner in crime, would roll their eyes and whisper to each other.  The best the manager would do is ask the ladies to “please pay attention.  When we work together, we will all do better.”  This simply caused more whispering and giggles when the manager turned his back. 

Finally, Marshall, a young man who started the same day as Julie, spoke up.  He was always one to speak his mind but on this occasion he used a lot of diplomacy.  He began by pointing out the elephant in the room and how there seemed to be a division between the older and younger generations.  He explained his father always worked with his hands and drilled into his children the value of hard work.  He continued, “I realize the younger people in the office haven’t paid their dues yet.  But we want to pay them.  We are willing to do what is necessary.  We don’t want to take anything from anyone but sometimes it seems some people don’t want us to succeed.  Bottom line, we will buy into the notion that we can do more if we work together.  My dad always used to say two horses pulling together can pull more than the sum of two single horses.  I have seen this so I believe it.  I know it is true.  Can’t we get past our differences?  Can’t we give our leadership the respect they deserve? We can think it is all about us but if the company does good don’t we benefit too?”

When he was finished, there was a smattering of applause.  Anita looked at Marsha with a questioning eye but it was clear Marsha was ready to compromise.  The rest of the team building was stronger than anyone could have believed. 

Later, everyone lunched in the park picnic area.  Marcus’s department arrived and were milling around as they prepared to eat at the remaining open picnic tables.  Julie watched Marcus as he helped unload a company van.  What was it with him that drew her attention?  In her eyes, he was perfect.  He had physical flaws but she didn’t care.   He had some crooked teeth but she felt they gave him character.  Though he couldn’t be older than 26 or 27, his hairline was already receding.  He looked more distinguished.  She recently heard him laugh and announce as he patted his stomach, “I’m starting to get the dreaded spreadsheet spread.  That disease number crunchers always get from sitting on their butts all day long.”  Julie simply thought there would be more of him to love. 

By now, the two of them had lunch together regularly at the office so it wasn’t scandalous when Marcus came to the table where Julie sat.  He plopped down on the end of the bench across from Julie and then slid himself into John and moved him a little.  “Move over John.” He said.  “You gotta make room for us fat guys.”  John replied, “If you’d get your lard butt away from the computer every once in a while, you might have room in places most normal people can fit.” 

“Yeah, yeah yeah!  Hey, when we gonna hike these trails here, John?”

“We will.”

“That’s what you been sayin’.  Let’s do it this Saturday.”

“Okay with me.”

Marcus looked at Julie and smiled.  She smiled back.  They Marcus asked John, “So is Bethany going with you?”

“Yeah she probly will.  She likes outdoorsy stuff.  Why”

“Well, I don’t wanna be a third wheel.  Julie?  You wanna go?”

Julies heart leapt for joy but she kept held her composure.  Be like a duck in water she told herself.  She simply smiled and said, “That would be fun.  Let’s do it.”

Then it was time for Julie’s department to return to the office.  Marcus walked with his team to begin their team building program.  As they walked to the parking lot, Marsha strolled up next to Julie.  She leaned toward Julie and said with a genuine smile, “Well played, darlin’.  Well played.”

A New Story: I Will

Toward the end of the day, Marsha stopped at Julie’s cubical and knocked.  Julie turned around and saw Marsha standing there with a knowing look on her face.  Instantly feeling embarrassed, Julie said, “Oh, hey Marsha.” 

Marsha ushered herself into the cubicle and close to Julie.  She pause a moment then asked with a hushed voice, “Are you ok?”

Julie noted a condescending tone and didn’t want to deal with it.  She decided to make the whole episode insignificant.  “It wasn’t a big deal.  Just something went down the wrong pipe, that’s all.”

“You must have been mortified.”

“Why would I be mortified?”

“Darlin’, I’ve seen the way you look at him and I’ve heard he likes you and…”

“Oh Marsha, please!”

“Don’t you ‘Oh Marsha, please’ me.  I know what I see and trust my eyes.  You like this boy.”

Julie’s mind raced.  In a split second, she thought “How dare she!  He is cute and his lips are so kissable.  She caught me.  How did she catch me?  What do I say?”  Then she answered, “Well, yes, I do think he is handsome, don’t you?”  That should get her to shut up.

“I think he is a good looking young man but, land sakes, I’m old enough to be his mother.  A few more years and I could be his grandmother.”

“How old are you?”

“A lady never discusses her age.”

Hoping to get the subject completely changed, Julie remarked, “Well, I don’t know how old you are but if Marcus could be your son, you look great for your age.”

Marsha said with a sweet smile, “What a nice thing to say!”  Then with a no-nonsense look added, “But let’s not change the subject.  We are talking about you and Marcus.”

Julie cursed under her breath.  Marsha spoke for five minutes straight about Marcus and how Julie could catch him.  Julie studied this women with hair pulled tightly into a bun and was trying to understand her motivation.  Marsha truly didn’t look old and was relatively fit.  She had what her grandmother called “saddle bags” on her hips and was in the beginning stages of a double chin but Julie would never consider her fat.  Was she being genuine?  Was she a matchmaker or a busy body?  Or both?  Like many from the older generation in the office, she would congregate with ladies of the “29 Club” and talk and sip coffee and gossip at regular times each day.  They were called the “29 Club” because they never admitted their age; only that they were, “29 and holding.” 

When Marsha finished, she said, “If you need anything, you just come see ol’ Marsha, ya hear?” 

Having already decided to never ask for her help, Julie sweetly replied, “Thank you, Marsha.  I will.” 

A New Story

Julie glanced up from her salad to the computer monitor.  Still shoving forkfuls into her mouth she calculated she had 3 minutes until Marcus would arrive.  Of course, she could stop eating and slip away to see him but she was starving.  Why did she start the diet this week?  She could be eating the lasagna Judy brought in today.  Still, trimming up a little more to impress the new guy couldn’t hurt.


Marcus was a new employee working in the department across the hall.  She happened to see him the week before during a stop in the common break room.  Julie started talking with Marsha, who works in Marcus’s department, when he walked in.  If love at first sight exists, Julie experienced it.  Marsha saw the look in Julie’s eye and considered not introducing Julie to Marcus but when he greeted Marsha by name as he approached a vending machine, she felt the situation required her to offer an introduction.  Smiling, Marcus stuck out his hand to Julie as she introduced him.  Julie felt a tingle of electricity in her hand the moment she clasped his.  His smile was infectious.  Her hand felt his the remainder of the day.

Marcus seemed to go to the break room at the same time each day, and Julie wanted to be there before he arrived and make it seem as though she was leaving.  She already had seen him the previous two days but she didn’t want to appear obvious.  Stuffing in one last fork full of limp romaine and arugula, Julie locked her computer and headed for the break room.  She chewed as she walked.  Her heart rate increased and her face flushed ever so slightly at the thought of being close to Marcus.  She was about to swallow when she turned the corner and saw Marcus walking toward her with a Snickers bar in his hand.

Julie gasped at their near collision causing the greens she planned to swallow to get stuck in her voice box.  Immediately, her body reacted by coughing up the foreign objects.  Her face reddened as the coughing intensified.  Julie bent over and jerked violently as she hacked away.  Since this was clearly no minor tickle in her throat, Marcus placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, “Are you ok?”

Somewhat embarrassed but more concerned with exhuming the remaining bits of salad, Julie nodded in affirmation and gave a thumbs up.  A coworker, Kathy, walked over with a cone shaped paper cup filled with water.  Julie grasped it in both hand and tilted her head back and let a mouthful cascade in.  Slowly, she swallowed and rinsed the remnants away.  A few more coughs came from deep within her chest as Julie walked toward the water cooler and refilled the cup.  Once she believed the emergency was over, she looked at Marcus and Kathy and croaked, “Thank you.”

Kathy asked, “Are you sure you’re ok?”

“I’m pretty sure I’ll survive the choking, maybe not the embarrassment.” 

Marcus and Kathy looked at one another and smiled.  Marcus added, “Well, you’ve given us our excitement for the day.  It will be hard to go back to boring numbers now.”  With that, he patted her shoulder and added as he walked away.  “I’m glad you’re ok.” 

Then Julie returned to her desk.  She felt like a total idiot.  Her mind raced with thoughts:  You want to impress the handsome new guy?  Oh, you impressed him alright.  He’ll never forget you.  You’re the one who hacked and coughed up a lung in front of him.  He’s probably laughing his ass off right now. 

Dejected, Julie unlocked her computer and saw she had 4 new emails.  She opened Outlook and at that instant, she received another one.  It was from Marcus.  The subject line was titled, “I really am glad your ok”  A smile broke out on her face.  She clicked on the email but there was no content, only the subject line.  She felt a little better.  He didn’t say he thought she was beautiful but at least he cared.  That should mean something, shouldn’t it?