Aaahhh! Becky is here! And within one day, she has already got me in trouble. Diary, more of that later, but suffice to say, I am soooo excited that she is here (not so much about the small dilemma she has put me in)!
Today was a big day. Who knew such an important outcome could come from junk?
How the day began: Going, to see live music, visiting a gallery, catching a movie, watching sport, hiking a trail (if you are into that kind of thing) … dancing; These are things that people could do on a weekend. Listening to a presentation about mail is not something to do on the weekend. Today began as a one of those days when I needed to present our dear section leader with a little side helping of sass. He was so determined to be his bouncy, sanctimonious self, that I felt just had to fire off a few little well-aimed missiles. I find ones that mention dancing tend to land the best.
Moving on: The 'small unattached items' collection. What did Oliver call them, things in a state of 'melancholic unbelonging'. The USPS' own version of flotsam and jetsam. This terrifying little compilation included a potentially haunted doll, a deadly dull hardcover (was it in fact one of Oliver's he had misplaced?), a very ugly hand knitted scarf, a periscope (really?) and a CD. Oliver selected the CD (which is good, because if he went with the doll I was out!) and wonder of wonders, he even knew how to operate a CD player. Who says that he is a technophobe? Oh, that right, I do. After playing us a snippet of the song, Rita and I were certain the songwriter was in love. Rita thought unrequited love, but perhaps that might be projection? Apparently, investigating a CD meant we needed to visit Norman's cousin Serge.
It was at this point that O'Toole ran away to his department meeting. I will admit my farewell was a little sarcastic, but did he need to roll his eyes like we were twelve? As the bard says, 'He which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made.' I think Oliver grabbed that passport and scampered.
Next: Well, Serge is a unique individual. Norman has the most interesting collection of cousins, and Serge may just about be the oddest. He was able to help us with the CD though and gave us a lead that might help us locate the singer.
Hmm. Well, I certainly seem to be destined to attract Denver's most eligible bachelors! First Lester, head of post office security hounds me for a date (I think I am going to have to agree to one just to get him to stop asking) and now Serge apparently likes me enough to tell me that his apartment is fumigated. Good to know.
Enter Ms Rebecca Starkwell, a.k.a Becky, my DC BFF. Becky has moved even further up the USPS food chain into her dream job (which I think she just makes up as she goes along). Anyway, Becky is here for three weeks! Apparently she is here to oversee the promotion of Rita as our Miss Special Delivery and generally spread good will. Oooo! Mimosas and Mani-Pedis are in my immediate future! Oh, and long lunches.
Did Becky interfere in my life and have me transferred? She did! I should be furious with her, but somehow, I can't be. I know she really despised Steve. I just didn't know it was enough to have her move me across the country in order to have me break up with him. (Diary, can you really break up with someone you never actually spent any quality time with?)
I think I am more annoyed with Becky for her implication that I was interested in Oliver! I mean, no! I am absolutely not. Sure, he is good looking, I mean I am not blind, and clever enough to keep my on my toes, but Becky – he is married! I am not going to become involved with a married man (even if his wife is not even in the same continent, let alone the same zip code). Why would she even think I was?
Becky and I are going to have a long chat before she goes back to DC. It's lucky for her I love her so much, otherwise I could be quite cross with her.
I am definitely not interested.
Definitely.
Moving on with the case: Serge told us that Linda Hawkins was singing backup on the recording. We got a hold of her, which led Norman and Rita to 'Deep Rock Sound', and its manager, Jennifer. Linda Hawkins confirmed what Rita and I had thought, the singer/songwriter was in love, because 'nobody writes a song like that about nobody'. I love Becky. I love how Becky (like me) has never met a rule she couldn't bend. (Becky, however, cannot carry a tune in a bucket.) Thankfully, we discovered Billy was the song's author, and he and his guitar 'Daisy' created that beautiful song.
Hmm. What is with Oliver and the oblique comments? My curiosity must remain unsatisfied. What did that even mean?
Also, Rita should never be allowed to get the dress of her imagination.
After discovering Billy's location, we took a trip to see him at the hospital. To learn that Billy lost so much so quickly was heartbreaking - but thank goodness for Rita. Her own sensitivity to finer feelings meant that she realized that Jennifer had been in love with Billy (and that before his accident, he had been in love with her too). I couldn't leave this as it was, and well, sometimes it is better to present Oliver with a fait accompli. Otherwise, he would be sure to come up with a reason why it is a bad idea. Is it wrong to completely boss your boss around? In my defence it was in a good cause. The mind is a curious thing. Who would have thought that holding a guitar in the presence of the right girl could give Billy back his life? What a fabulous delivery.
P.S. How would you communicate using the words of Barry Manilow songs?
P.P.S. Oh diary, I am in so much trouble! Oliver knows that I was talking about him to Becky! Wait a minute – did he say he saw Becky at the Mailbox Grille? What he there! What did I say? Oh help! Maybe I should move to Seattle!