Jim had a pretty hectic day at work. He had spent nearly a lifetime on the phone, trying to get a hold of Ryan. Ryan eventually did answer the phone, only to tell him he had to go to meeting. He told him other things about losing his job, sinking the company into an irreversible debt, but Jim was too frustrated and angry to hear those things. He couldn't even have a decent sigh of relief without Ryan being a total jerk to him.

Pam watched from reception with the same, sympathetic expression all day. So when five o'clock came around, she invited Jim over to her house for some dinner.

It was a beautiful meal of spaghetti and salad. It was so simple, and yet, it was everything Jim needed; a simple, easy, good thing in his life. Which is why he was grateful for Pam.

Curiosity got to the best of him as Pam kindly picked up his plates and went to the kitchen. From the dinner table, he could see into her living room. It was your usual living room: T.V., couch, loveseats, coffee table, the works. However, it was the bookshelf that had teased Jim's eyes. There were novels, pictures, and other various knick – knacks Pam had collected over the years. The bottom shelf was cluttered in yearbooks and art references. Those books on the bottom had spines of unbelievable damage; years of thumbing her fingers through these pages had cause significant wear and tear. Jim mentally noted that the bottom shelf was saved for those books Pam treasured the most. As his eyes wandered from cracked spine to torn page, he was surprised to find a book that was orange. It wasn't faded or cracked or worn away; but a vibrant orange in the midst of the 'Antiques Road Show'. Jim felt a sudden urge to ask Pam why she had an orange book in her collection, but decided against it. She was scrubbing left-over meat sauce from the plates and wearing big, plastic gloves. Clearly, she did not want to be bothered with frivolous questions. Or at least, that's how Jim reasoned when he quietly stood up from his seat and started over to the bookcase.

Pam had the water running by the time Jim was tenderly moving books out of the way. Each book he moved was like a year in Pam's life. There were books from 2001, and books from 1956 which she probably had inherited. He was peeling away the clock, until he got to what made it tick – the orange book. Jim carefully removed the book from its spot and, without looking at the title or anything, went back to his seat at the table. Pam was sitting down as he started to read the title.

"Whatcha got there?" she asked innocently. It had not dawned on her that this was the book from her own library.

"Hmm? Oh, it's nothing…." Jim had met her gaze and was fumbling with words. Could she really not recognize one of the 'important books'?

"Wait…" Pam said as she furrowed her brow, "Is that…Oh my God! Jim!" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, she frantically reached out to grab the book from the table. But Jim was quicker, and snatched the book away at the last second.

"Oh my God, that is so embarrassing, Jim! Give that back!" She continued to struggle, now fighting back Jim's defensive arm – block. She let a few giggles escape, and he was smiling.

"What? What's so bad about this?" Jim asked when she had calmed down. Without thinking twice, he turned the book over and looked at the cover page. There was a sudden release of pressure, as Pam sat back down in her chair and Jim took down his arm – block. His eyes danced around the cover before his mind truly comprehended what was on there.

In the middle, was a black and white sketch of the familiar Dr. Seuss character, Horton the Elephant. Above, in big white lettering, were the words "Horton Hears a Who!" Below the drawing, were the words "And other stories too." True to Dr. Seuss fashion, even the title of his books rhymed. Jim smiled as he could feel Pam blushing.

"So, this is your big 'embarrassing' secret?" Jim asked with a smile. Pam's face was flushed with color, and it was obvious she was biting back a smile.

"Well, it's just a silly right? That I would still have a Dr. Seuss book." Pam explained meeting Jim's gaze.

"No, not at all." He reassured her, "I still have all of mine. But why is this such a big deal?"

Am I coming on too strong? Jim thought to himself. He imagined her crying and storming out of the room in anger and embarrassment. It was taking her too long to respond. Great, Halpert, nice use of tact. He could see the hesitation in her eyes

"Okay," Pam said with a breath, "When I was a little girl, I tried out for this art program. It was really cool, and everyone in my class was trying out. The people selected to participate in this program would be nationally recognized and would have their own, little exhibit at the city's fine arts museum for two weeks."

"Wow!" Jim said, "Sounds cool!"

"I know, "she continued, "Anyways, it was a big deal for the local press and anyone who was anybody in the little kid art community would be there. I mean, Jim. Getting a piece selected meant you were a somebody. Looking back on it, I don't know why I got so worked up about it, but I don't know. I just wanted to be a real artist with a real exhibit and everything." Pam paused for a moment and took a deep breath before continuing,

"Of course, I totally applied and everything. I painted a tree at sunset on a hill. My Mom even went out and bought the professional kind of paintbrushes that 'professionals' use! I spent the better part of a Saturday afternoon, just making sure it was absolutely perfect."

"I'm sure it was," Jim interrupted. Pam returned his comment with a smile.

"Well, it was perfect in my eyes and that's all that mattered. I mean, that thing was my baby! On Monday, the judges would come to our art class and see which of us would be selected to join this special program…." Pam's voice trailed off and her face dropped a little.

"I mean, mine was pretty good compared to the other kids. But, I guess the judges were looking for something…else? Like, the other kids had painted self portraits and I was the only one who had painted a still – life. A few days pass and I get the letter that I was not accepted."

"Oh no, I'm sorry." Jim said, offering his hand. The tips of his fingers graced Pam's left hand, before she pulled it away.

"No, it's OK. It's really not that bad," she assured him, "I mean…whatever, you have to fail before you can succeed."

"True, true"



"Anyways," Pam continued, "I remember just crying and crying all day, it was really pathetic actually. But at the time, it had been like, my world had ended. I had picked out what I was going to wear to the exhibit and how I would explain to people my inspiration, and all that jazz. Again, really quite pathetic and lame on my part. Anyways, that night my Mom was talking to me before she tucked me in. You know, she was just saying the same ol' stuff she'd been telling me all day. The things moms are supposed to say? "

Jim nodded in polite agreement.

"Well, she told me she knew a story that would make me feel better. Low and behold, she picked up "Horton Hears a Who!" I don't know, I guess…I don't know." Pam had become a little shy, and the red color in her cheeks came back again.

"No, no!" Jim insisted, "Do go on!"

"I mean, the book is about being special no matter how small. And even though somebody says you're not good enough, you totally are. And, I don't know, I guess it just made me feel better." Pam started to laugh,

"Sometimes…if I've had a bad day at work, I come home and read the story."

"Ah, Beesly!" Jim said smiling, "That is the cutest thing I've ever heard!"

"I know, I know…its lame, though." She said laughing.

"Well, you know," He said mischievously, "I did have kind of a bad day at work…"

"Are you alluding that we should read 'Horton Hears a Who!' together?"

Jim didn't respond verbally. Instead, he just grinned.

They made their way over to her coach. Pam sat down next to Jim, and he affectionately put his arm around her shoulders. She was holding the book.

"So, now you're going to read it to me…" Jim said, forcing the book open. Pam just smiled at him and began reading,

"On the fifteenth of May, in the Jungle of Nool, in the heat of the day…."

Pam read the entire story, but Jim wasn't really paying attention. He kept thinking; the fifteenth of May, the fifteenth of May.

It was decided on that couch that night. Jim would propose on the fifteenth of May.

--

Jim never felt so ready for anything in his life. He stared dead on to the lens that was in front of his face now. He didn't think twice, he didn't even think. He just proclaimed to this empty camera,

"I'm going to propose tonight."

It took him a second, before realizing – today was May 15th. It was the fifteenth of May.

"Holy crap!"