A Gift For the Quiet One - 1. Story

The room burst into light as Fred flipped the switch and entered the office. He slipped his coat off and prepared to start his daily ritual. He was the first one in, as usual, and headed to the staff break room where he started the coffee pot as well. Once that was going he headed out and turned on the rest of the equipment for the office. It was as much of a routine for him as breathing. Life lately had left Fred a bit robotic.

“Damn, Fred, don’t you ever take a late day?” Carissa asked as she slipped into the office and took off her coat. “I can even smell the coffee.” She shook her head and hung up her coat.

“Well, we have work to do, don’t we?” Fred slipped behind his desk and began turning on his computer, then flipped his phone on.

“My God, Fred. Sometimes I worry about you.” Carissa shook her head and teased a few of the loose curls in her dark mane of hair. “If the coffee is done, I’m going to pour me a cup. Want one?”

Fred shook his head and began pulling files from his desk drawers.

Over the next half hour the other five associates arrived at the office. Juanita arrived with Kyle, both holding large cups of Dunkin Donuts coffee and moved over to the heater near the window. Nicholas turned up, looking half frozen. His hands were bright red from the cold, and his ears looked like a stop light. He headed right into the break room and kept his coat on. Mary turned up in a long winter coat and a huge scarf. The coat came off, but Mary kept the scarf on. Finally, Steven arrived looking sort of like an overstuffed marshmallow. His winter jacket was a huge white thing, with a hood that seemed to engulf everything.

“Steve, you look a walking snowman,” joked Kyle.

“More like a snowball. Where on earth did you find that jacket? It looks huge on you.” Juanita shook her head as she watched Steven shuffle out of the coat.

“You forget I’ve lost weight. The jacket used to be a bit tight.” Steven shrugged out of the coat, put it onto one of the hangers, and slipped it into the closet.

“Bet that keeps you warm,” announced Nicholas as he came out of the break room, carrying his light jacket with him. “I really need to buy myself a winter jacket. This one just ain’t cutting it.”

“Well, gloves and a scarf might help keep you warm,” Mary commented as she sat down her coffee.

“Well, glad you are all here and safe,” stated Carissa as she walked out of her office. “Now, get to work, boys and girls. Those projects aren’t going to finish themselves.”

There was a collective sigh as everyone settled in, but Fred stood up and handed Carissa two large files.

“What are these?” Carissa looked at the two enormous folders.

“The top one is the Peterson account. You just need to make sure it fits the final proposal. The other is the Mavis-Comb account.”

“You got both done? The Mavis account isn’t even due for another two weeks.” Carissa raised an eyebrow and waved Fred into her office.

She had no doubt that both would be fully completed and excellent work, but was getting worried about Fred. Ever since he had taken some time off near Halloween, he had seemed distant, even if his work was being finished in record time.

“Did you want me to wait while you go over them?” Fred sat stiffly across from Carissa, his eyes darting back to his desk.

“Are you waiting on a call?”

“No.” Fred looked at the floor. “I just figured I should start the next project.”

Carissa set the files down and leaned against the desk. “Okay, spill it, Freddy boy. What is going on with you?”

Fred looked up and cocked his head.

“You forget who you are with. I’ve known you longer than any of them.” Carissa crossed her arms and stared down at Fred. “You, while usually reserved, are not this standoffish ever. We barely got two words out of you at the Christmas party. You didn’t even enjoy the fact the office was closed for New Years. Hell, in fact I got twice as much work out of you, suggesting to me you came in while everyone else relaxed.”

Fred blushed but didn’t say a word.

“Now we are a week from Valentine’s Day. So, approximately forty-five days since the year began. You aren’t acting like yourself at all. Would you like to guess why I’m dragging you into my office to ask if you are okay?”

“I don’t know.” Fred nearly whispered his answer.

Carissa took the seat alongside Fred and looked him straight in the face.

“Fred, I’m worried about you. You usually surprise the office with things. You decorate for the holidays. You buy the decorations for Christmas, have the streamers for New Years, and have the whole place covered in hearts for Valentine’s Day, but since Halloween you haven’t done anything. Heck, you didn’t even decorate for Stephen’s birthday. Lately, you come in, you work, and you go home. I can’t get you to join the group for drinks or dinner, and we don’t hear about your life at all anymore. I don’t even see pictures on your desk any more. Are you okay?”

Fred began to cry.

Carissa grabbed a tissue out of the box on her desk, handed it Fred, and then got up and closed the door to her office.

“I don’t want to cause any problems at work,” Fred sniffed as he wiped his nose.

“Fred, you don’t cause problems. Now tell me, what is wrong?”

“I lost both Daniel and Maggie in October.”

Carissa bit her lip. “Daniel and Maggie?” She knew Maggie was Fred’s dog, but had no idea who Daniel was. “This went down during your vacation, didn’t it?”

Fred nodded.

“Tell me what happened. It might help to get it off your chest.” Carissa reclaimed her seat and took Fred’s hands in her own.

“I had taken time off, was planning a surprise getaway with Daniel. We’d been dating for a few months and I thought everything was great. However, Daniel got a job offer he couldn’t refuse. A dream job or new boyfriend is what it came down to, and he chose the job.” Fred sort of shrugged. “He told me on the first day of my vacation. I tried to be happy for him, but it hurt. Then Maggie got sick, or I should say I noticed she wasn’t eating anything. I know she was fourteen years old, but it came on so quickly. The doctor said she had cancer and it evidently spread fast. The doctor said there was nothing she could do for Maggie. My poor baby was in pain and I couldn’t handle that. The doctor said Maggie had to be put down, and I stood there petting her as she slipped away. I was so used to having her around, but I couldn’t bring myself to replace her. So, I have just sort of focused on work to get through everything.”

Carissa hugged Fred. She knew his parents had passed away a couple of years ago; she had gone to their funeral. He was their only child, and he was now all alone. She finally understood the reason Fred was acting like he was. She was determined to help her friend and coworker.

“Have you told anyone what is happening?”

Fred looked up. “Who would I tell? I feel stupid as hell crying in here with you, but you know me, Carissa.”

It was one of the things Carissa loved about Fred. He did his work, didn’t gossip, and was dependable. He was happy to let someone else present the work, mainly because his shy nature kept him from wanting the spotlight. It took a while for him to become comfortable with anyone, so if he let you in, you knew you were lucky. She couldn’t help but wonder what this Daniel had done by leaving him the way he did. Fred might be twenty-eight, but in many ways he was still an innocent kid.

“Okay, Fred. Wipe your face off and take your time to collect yourself before you head back out there. We are way ahead of schedule right now. You still have a load of vacation time and I think you might need to get yourself together. Do you want to take some time off?”

“I really don’t want to be home right now. The weekends are hard enough, but it nearly killed me going through the holidays alone.”

Carissa nodded. “Okay, you do what you need to do. If you want to talk or need time off, you know where I am.”

Fred nodded. He blew his nose, tossed the tissue in the waste basket, and slipped out of Carissa’s office, heading straight to the bathroom.

Carissa barely sat down behind her desk when there was a knock on the door. She looked up to Nicholas standing in the doorway.

“Something wrong, Nick?”

“Um … is everything okay with Fred? He seemed upset.”

Carissa sighed. “He has had some rough stuff happening in his life. He’s going to be all right.”

“Okay, um, thanks.” Nicholas headed back out to the floor.

Carissa sat and began to go through the work Fred had done.

***

Fred stepped into the office bright and early on Tuesday morning, slipped out of his coat, and hung it up. He turned to put on the lights and froze. The lights were already on.

“What the hell?” He stepped into the room to find hearts and Cupids all over the office. There were pink hearts on the front of desks, red Cupids hanging from the ceiling, and red and white streamers seemed to hang everywhere he looked. He wandered into the center of the place, and the smell of coffee hit him. As he looked around the office, he noticed everything was on, but paused when he spotted the large bouquet of roses sitting on the desk, his desk no less.

“Who’s here?” Fred went into the break room and found it empty. He checked Carissa’s office and it was empty as well. Finally, he checked the bathrooms and found he was alone in the building. He was heading back toward his desk when he heard the door.

“Fred, you really went all out!” Carissa stared at the explosion of pink hearts, cupids, and red and white streamers that were everywhere she looked in the office. “No denying this place is ready for Valentine’s Day now.”

“Um, Carissa, I didn’t.”

Carissa looked at Fred, who seemed sort of shell shocked. “You didn’t do this?”

“No. I came in and it was all done. The lights were on, and hell, even the coffee was nearly done.”

“So who did it for you?” Carissa slipped her coat off and looked around the office. Then she spotted the roses on Fred’s desk. “And who are the roses for?”

“I don’t know. They were there when I walked in.”

Carissa and Fred walked over to his desk. Carissa leaned over to smell the roses while Fred picked up the card that was leaning against them.

“So what does the card say?” Carissa asked as she watched Fred’s face.

Fred turned the card so she could read it.

I would like to see you smile again, Fred.

“Well, they are definitely for you.” Carissa smiled.

“But …”

Before Fred could say another word the whole office arrived in one mad rush.

“Lord, I guess it really is Valentine’s Day,” Mary announced as she looked at the office.

“You really went all out this time,” stated Steven as he hung up his jacket.

“I think it looks nice.” Nick slipped his coat onto a hanger.

“You would,” snickered Kyle.

Juanita elbowed Kyle as she took his coat and hung it up.

Carissa headed into her office, smiling the whole way. Someone had decided to decorate the office and did it so Fred wouldn’t know who it was. She liked the idea, but wished she could narrow down who might have done it. Unfortunately, everyone had keys to the office. She would have to see if she could catch the secret admirer before Fred did.

***

Wednesday morning Fred was up and into the office even earlier than normal. He arrived at the office an hour and a half before it was due to open. However, even being that early didn’t seem to help him. He got in, took off his coat, and was floored to find the lights and equipment on.

As he began to go around the office he heard the coffee pot click on. He went in to find a new pot had replaced the old one and had a timer on it. The coffee was beginning to brew as he stood and watched it.

“Who is doing this?” Fred asked the empty office.

He marched over to his desk and froze. There was a large box on his desk. He turned and found a small box on everyone’s desk, but his was larger. He sat down and stared at it before he noticed there was a note with his box. He stopped staring at the box and instead opened the note.

Hoping this brings a smile to your face.

Fred shook his head and opened the box to find it was Godiva chocolates. He sat, stunned. Eventually he went and poured himself a cup of coffee, then he waited for Carissa to show up.

Fifteen minutes before opening Carissa showed up, followed closely by everyone else. There was snow falling and everyone was happy to smell the coffee. Carissa poured herself a cup and then noticed Fred sitting at his desk, biting his lip and not really paying attention to anything else going on.

“Hey, Fred. You okay?” Carissa found herself wrapping her hands around the coffee cup for warmth.

Fred looked up and seemed to finally notice her. “Oh. Hi Carissa. Can we talk in your office for a moment?”

Carissa led the way into her office and went to sit behind her desk. As she did she noticed there was a box on her desk. “Aw, Fred, you didn’t need to get me anything.” She smiled as she sat down and unwrapped the box to find some chocolates from Hershey.

“They gave me Godiva,” Fred stated as he looked at Carissa’s box of chocolates.

“Godiva? Damn, you rate Fred.” Carissa looked up and smiled only to see the frown on Fred’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not used to getting things, Carissa. Whoever is doing this, beat me to the office again. They replaced the old coffee pot and had it set to a timer this morning. They had everything turned on and there are boxes on everyone’s desk. I can’t figure out who is doing this.”

Carissa smiled and shook her head. “Look, they are doing what you used to do. They decorated the office, gave everyone a small treat, and are trying hard to make you smile. What is wrong?”

“I … I’m not used to someone doing for me. Since Mom and Dad passed away and Daniel left, well, I just am used to my routine. Someone is doing this.” Fred passed Carissa the typed note. “What do they want?” Fred wrapped his arms around himself.

“I don’t think they are out to hurt you. Everything seems to be to make you smile. Gotta admit, Fred, you don’t smile much anymore.”

Fred stood and just looked at Carissa.

“Look, no one has admitted to anything, they haven’t done any harm, and so far the most you can accuse them of is making your life easier. If something happens that crosses the line, let me know. Until then just enjoy the gifts.” Carissa paused and opened her box of chocolates. “I know I am.” She popped one into her mouth and smiled.

Fred walked out into the office, looked at his co-workers again and headed to his desk. Through the rest of the afternoon he would pause and look at each one trying to figure out just who was doing this.

***

Thursday morning Fred found things were back to normal. He was the first one in, got to hang up his coat, turn on the lights, the coffee, and the rest of the machines. He figured that whatever had been going on had finally come to an end. Everyone arrived and it seemed to be a normal day.

“Kyle, where do you want to have lunch?” Juanita asked as she stood near his desk.

“Are you two going out for lunch?” Mary asked from her desk.

“Yeah, as soon as I can get Kyle to commit to a place.” Juanita smiled at Mary. “Why? Something up?”

“Forgot my lunch today. I was sort of hoping I could go with you two and get something to eat. It doesn’t really matter where you go.”

“Well, ladies, how does Panera sound? I’m in the mood for soup and sandwiches.” Kyle smiled and rubbed his stomach.

Steve hung up his phone and then turned to face the group. “Did you say Panera?”

Kyle and the girls nodded.

“I’m in. Nick you want to join us?” Steve asked as Nicholas passed his desk.

“Join you for what?” Nicholas sorted the mail he was holding and handed an envelope to Steve.

“Lunch! We are all headed to Panera.”

“Fred, are you going too?” Nicholas turned to Fred, waiting for a response.

“Um ….” Fred’s eyes grew wide.

“Of course he is. We are all going,” announced Carissa as she came into the office. “Grab your coats one and all. We are doing lunch. I love that.” Carissa giggled as everyone looked at her and headed to grab their coats.”

“Do I have to go?” Fred whispered as he came up to Carissa.

“Yes. You need to connect with your co-workers. You’re going, Freddy boy.”

The group headed out and had a great time at lunch. Fred even found himself laughing along with the group. When they got back to the office, Fred froze by his desk. Sitting on it was a teddy bear that he knew hadn’t been there that morning. How had someone slipped this onto his desk? The whole office had left together.

Carissa noticed Fred staring at his desk and spotted the bear immediately. She couldn’t help but smile. Whoever was doing this was very good at surprising Fred. She walked to her office and watched as everyone wandered over to comment on the bear. Unfortunately, she still hadn’t figured out who was leaving the surprises for Fred.

***

Fred arrived at work and was a nervous wreck Friday morning. He wasn’t sure what he would find as he came in. The office was neat and he found he had to turn on most things. The coffee pot had been set on a timer and automatically began to brew a pot of coffee. After everything was ready Fred walked with trepidation to his desk.

Sitting on it was a small red envelope. He opened it and nearly dropped the note.

Lunch with everyone was fun. However, would you like to do dinner tonight with me?

Fred was shaking as he sat and reread the note. Someone wanted to go out with him? Why? Who at the office wanted to go out? He’d never thought of his coworkers that way. Was someone really interested in him or was this all a big prank?

Carissa knew something had happened as soon as she caught a glimpse of Fred. He sat, staring at a note in his hand, ignoring everything else. She walked over to his desk and waited to be noticed.

“Hi, boss.”

“Hi, boss, my ass. Come into my office.” Carissa shook her head and strolled to her office. She waited ‘til Fred entered it and closed the door behind him. “Okay, what happened that has you so stunned?”

Fred passed over the note and Carissa read it.

“Well?” Carissa stared at Fred.

“Well, what?”

Carissa sighed. “Do you want to go on a date?”

“I can’t. I don’t even know who it is.” Fred began to pace the office.

“Look, Fred, I can’t tell you what to do. It seems that someone here at the office likes you. They have taken it upon themselves to try and cheer you up. I’d say they are doing a pretty good job.”

Fred paused and looked at Carissa.

Carissa laughed. “Oh, come on now. I mean whoever it is decorated the office, left a dozen roses at your desk, gave you chocolates- Godiva no less, and a stuffed teddy bear. I mean all of that is what I’d consider fair dating so far. You understand that nothing was too over the top or extravagant. Now, you were asked to dinner. The prelude to dinner has been really sweet. The question is, are you ready to date?”

Fred flopped into the chair and looked at the floor. “I don’t know.”

“Well, Freddy boy, I can’t tell you. You have until whoever this is turns up at your desk and asks you to decide.”

Fred got up and opened the door. He turned as if he was going to ask Carissa a question, but shook his head and went back to his desk.

Carissa watched the office pretty much the rest of the day. Every time someone headed to Fred’s desk she nearly ran out, but from Fred’s reactions no one asked him out.

The day passed slowly for Fred and Carissa. Finally it was closing time.

“I’m so shot. Glad we don’t have to come in this weekend,” announced Juanita as she turned off her computer.

“Me too. I have date on Sunday. A day early for Valentine’s Day, but it should be fun.” Mary smiled and wrapped her scarf around her neck as she headed over to grab her coat.

“Well I plan to watch the football game. Wanna come over and see it, Juanita?” Kyle smiled as she looked him over.

“Am I coming to watch the game or cook for your friends? I ain’t your maid.” Juanita shook her dark mane as she looked at Kyle.

“Just you and me. Promise.” Kyle smiled as he held out Juanita’s coat for her to put on.

Fred, Nick, and Steven still sat, finishing up.

“Okay, boys, it’s closing time. Finish up and head home. It’s the weekend and I’m not that bad a slave driver,” Carissa announced, watching to see what would happen.

Steven finished up and turned off his computer. Then he headed to the bathroom, walking right past Carissa’s door. “I can close up if you gotta go, boss. Just need to hit the can first.”

Carissa laughed and turned to see Nicholas approach Fred’s desk sort of slow like.

“Hi Fred.”

“Hi Nicholas. Did you need something?” Fred stopped typing long enough to look up.

“Well, an answer would be nice.” Nicholas smiled and looked down at Fred. “And you can call me, Nick. Everyone else does.”

Carissa watched from her office.

Fred blushed a deep shade of red and looked down.

Carissa paused to think what she knew about Nicholas. He was fairly new to the staff and had been hired in September. He was a hard worker, good with people, and fairly low key himself. The more she thought about it, the more she smiled.

“Hey, Carissa, what is going on there?” Steven pointed to Nick and Fred.

“Oh, not much. Come into my office for a moment, Steven. I need to ask you something.”

Steven walked in and Carissa shut the door behind him. Through the glass panel she watched as Nick gathered both his coat and Fred’s. The two men headed out the door together.

“What do you need boss?”

Carissa smiled. “Do you think you can open the office for me on Monday? I have a feeling Nick might be late.”