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"God, why had Jim of all people given it to her? It would have been much better if someone like Phyllis or Toby had presented this teapot to her; someone nice enough to keep warm feelings to the giver, but without that sort of connection that would make her put special meanings into this item of the tea-set. But it was Jim who had made that beautiful present, and she couldn’t separate her love, regrets, and everything that she’d lost and never had from the teapot that sat so innocently on her table."

You know, it never really occurred to me what happened to the teapot during S3. I know we see it in later seasons, but what a great jumping point for angst to have this be such a constant source of trauma for Pam. I really like what you did with it!

Author's Response: Thank you, tinydundie! I'm glad you liked this story :)

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I really like this. It feels like a really accurate glimpse of what was going on in Pam's head at this point in Season 3 - the push and pull between wanting to move on and not wanting to let go with the undercurrent of regret at how the decisions she's made have led her here. This sort of wrestling with herself is very Pam.

And I like the choice to have her be influenced on multiple levels by her interactions with Karen during Benihana Christmas.

Happy anniversary!

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This was really great. I enjoyed it a lot. Wish there was more, maybe from Jim's pov.

Author's Response: Thank you, Donna, I'm glad you like it! 

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I really like this idea of Karen being super pragmatic & enjoying Christmas, but not really being swept away by the magic of it all.
Oh. The connection with what Karen has said to Pam and with Jim rejecting her gift. Oof. That hurts. Poor Pam.

“She placed them around the teapot like moons around a planet” This is such a beautiful image. It’s so, so heartbreaking that it all loses meaning without Jim.

“She’d burn it later.” Damn.

I don’t even have the words to describe how haunting it is for Pam to consider breaking the teapot. I love the comparison to an alcoholic returning to the bottle and I can understand why she feels that breaking it is the right thing to do. Even so, it hurts. It hurts so bad.
Much like Pam, I love that teapot and everything it stands for.

Oh boy. Talk about a misunderstanding. Karen has put this whole taking gifts back thing into her head and now Jim has shown up asking for a gift and she assumes the worst.
She’s so brave. I love that she gives him such a strong no.

‘It means everything,’ YES. So good.
Pam telling him he can’t. Oh my god. So brave.

‘Well… I’m trying to turn ‘can’t’ into ‘can’, I guess,’ Is this my new favorite line of anything ever? I think so.

I’m so, so glad the teapot remains intact!

Author's Response:

Oh, Jenna, thank you so much for such an amazing review! I'm glad you liked the story, and I truly appreciate your feedback. I have the same feelings for the teapot as you, and breaking it would be... too much.

I'm a weak woman, I guess :) 

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I really like this. Are you planning any followup (like, does Jim figure out what's in the pillowcase)? Not that you need followup (this is lovely) but I thought I'd ask. I like stories where Pam gets the thoughts out, and where Jim comes after her, and I loved both elements here.

Author's Response:

Thank you, Comfect! I was worried that this story had almost the same concept as my previous finished story, and I'm really glad you liked it! I think there wouldn't be any follow-ups (it was just detailed retelling of a dream after all), but I think Jim wouldn't know what was under the pillow; Pam would try to say Jim goodbye and return all of her mementos to their place :)