5 years ago
She sat at the kitchen table. She laid the small piece of paper on top of the letter and folded the letter carefully around it, then placed the letter inside the card. She slid the card into the envelope and was sealing it when he walked in.
"Did you get it?" she asked.
"Yes."
He brought the box he carried over to the table and opened it.
Her eyes lit up and she smiled.
"It really turned out well," she said.
She placed the card into the box and closed it, then drew a deep breath.
"I hope she's happy."
He laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder, then bent down and kissed the top of her head.
"I do, too."
Present Day - Friday, April 29th
Shane stood up and stretched. It had been a long, busy day. Impossibly ripped and mangled day, and a day early, since the last day of the month was on Saturday. It was nearly 5 pm, and she was ready to go home, but she knew how Oliver felt about starting the new month without any mangled leftovers, and there was one more item in the bin.
She walked over to the bin, reached into it and lifted the package. It rattled in her hand. Whatever was inside had broken. The wrapping was wrinkled and torn, the address completely gone. She sighed. This was going be a long night.
Oliver came up behind her and put the box back into the bin.
"Monday," he said.
Shane turned to face him.
"Oliver O'Toole breaking protocol? What is that all about?"
He handed her a small envelope.
Shane opened it and pulled out a card. Handmade. A cardboard birthday cake adorned the front. Underneath it were the handwritten words "Shane's Birthday Itinerary. April 30, 2019."
She opened the card and read.
"9:00 am - Breakfast with Oliver at the Mailbox Grill
1:30 pm - Rita and Norman cordially invite Oliver and Shane to tea at the Brown Palace Hotel
6:00 pm - Drinks with Oliver at the Ephlat Lounge
8:00 pm - Dinner with Oliver"
Shane looked up at Oliver and smiled. Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes.
"It sounds like a wonderful day. Where are we going for dinner?"
His eyes twinkled back at her and he shook his head slightly.
"Oh, I'm not telling."
Rita and Norman came out of Norman's lab. They joined Oliver and Shane at the table.
Rita tipped the bin towards her and looked inside.
"One left. Shall we get started?"
"Monday," Oliver said.
He lifted the bin from the table, carried it to his desk and placed it there.
Rita and Norman glanced at each other, then at Shane. Shane shrugged her shoulders and laughed.
"He's 'branching out' again."
Oliver walked back to Shane and offered his arm.
"Shall we call it a day?"
"We'll see you tomorrow," Shane told Rita.
"It'll be fun," Rita said.
She gave Shane a quick hug, and they all left together.
Oliver walked up the steps to his house and breathed a sigh of relief. A large package lay against the door. He'd been stressing over the delivery of this item. It was an important part of his plans for Shane's birthday dinner. He opened the door, brought the box inside and leaned it against the wall. He had much to do before tomorrow. He took off his coat and tie and headed for the kitchen. Two lists lay on the table. He picked up the first one and crossed off this last thing.
The doorbell rang and Oliver heard the door open.
"I'm here," Joe called.
Oliver came into the entry.
Joe looked at the box.
"It made it."
"Just in time," Oliver said.
Joe held up the bags he carried.
"I brought Chinese."
Oliver led the way to the kitchen. He gathered plates and cutlery, brought them to the table, then pulled a YooHoo for him and water for Joe from the refrigerator.
They sat down at the table and Joe opened the bags.
Oliver laid the second list on the table between himself and Joe so they could both read it.
"Here's what I need you to do."