The morning stretched out for what seemed like forever. Pam kept trying to distract herself with Sidoku, Free Cell, Mindsweeper -- anything to keep her mind off whatever this secret about Karen was. She couldn't stop thinking about it. Every time she glanced across the office, her eyes settled on Karen. What kind of secret could she have? And why would she have told Kelly, of all people? Even Karen had to know by now that Kelly couldn't keep a secret to save her life.
Pam had made that mistake, once, about three years ago. The camera crews had just started filming in their office. She'd admitted the secret at lunch that day, and by two o'clock in the afternoon, everyone in the office knew that Pam thought Jeff, the head cameraman, was "kind of cute." Jim had been pouty for the rest of the afternoon, but he wouldn't admit why. She suspected it had to do with her "secret," but Pam didn't like to think about that kind of stuff back then. Back when she was happily "engaged." Back when the biggest worry she had was whether she would make sloppy joes or baked chicken for dinner. Back when everything was simple. Easy. Uncomplicated.
Sometimes she wished she could go back to that -- take back her confession to Roy, take back the kiss and the "me, too," take back the "I think I am." But then she'd remember Roy smashing the mirror. The feel of Jim's arms around her waist. His lips pressing against hers. And suddenly, it wasn't that easy anymore.
If only she hadn't been so stupid -- why hadn't she just said it? "Yes, Jim, I have feelings for you. Yes, I broke up with Roy. Yes, I want to be with you." Why was it so difficult?
She found her gaze drifting towards Karen again. Beautiful Karen. Polished, professional Karen. Perfect Karen.
What was so interesting about this secret that Kelly couldn't tell her in the office? And how had she found out?
Pam started as her eyes came into focus. She realized Karen was staring straight back at her with an odd expression. Pam forced a smile, and quickly turned back to her computer. She glanced at the computer clock. 10:32 am? Damn it. This morning was never going to end.
===
"Hey, Pam."
Pam looked up to see Karen standing over her. Karen grabbed a small handful of M&M's and leaned against the countertop.
The irony, Pam thought.
"So," Karen said. "I hope this doesn't sound rude, but -- is there some reason you've been staring at me all morning?"
"What?" Pam asked, startled. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, every time I look up, you're staring at me. I mean, do I have something in my teeth, is my hair messed up? What is it? It's just... kind of weird."
"Oh," Pam said. She forced a smile onto her face. "Well, um, I don't know -- sometimes I just stare off into the distance when I'm thinking, and -- I don't know. I guess you're just in my line of sight." She made a face. "I'm sorry."
"Hm," Karen said. "Okay." She didn't sound wholly convinced.
"Well, that, and -- I don't know. I guess I was thinking about something else, I mean..." Pam thought quickly. "I overheard that you and Jim saw Zodiac this weekend. How was that?"
Karen's demeanor immediately changed. "Oh, pretty good, actually. It was really scary -- have you ever seen Seven?"
"Yeah," Pam said. "Roy made me watch it. I couldn't sleep at all that night."
"Oh my God, that's such a good movie!" Karen said. Behind her, Pam noticed Jim turning around to look at them. He raised an eyebrow at her. It took everything Pam had not to smile, or make a face. "Anyway," Karen continued, "this movie was so good -- I think I left a mark on Jim's arm, y'know?" She rolled her eyes, glancing over at Jim.
Pam's face immediately fell. "Oh, yeah?" she said. "Wow. Well, I'm glad to hear it was a good movie." She turned back to her computer, opening up a spreadsheet she was working on for Michael.
"Yeah," Karen said, turning back to look at Pam. "I guess ... I should let you get back to work, then."
"Yeah," Pam said quietly.
===
Twelve 'o clock finally rolled around. Pam's coat had been on for the last ten minutes, and she'd spent the last five minutes experimenting with different ways to tie her scarf. Kelly finally passed through the kitchen a minute after twelve. By the time she came to the front, Pam was almost out the door.
"Wow!" Kelly said. "You must be really hungry, Pam." She winked at her as they went through the doors.
"I'm starved," Pam said, knowing the camera crew was watching them leave. She hoped they weren't going to follow them to lunch as well. They usually didn't, but then again - maybe one of them had overheard Kelly talking to Pam earlier. She tried to remember if she'd noticed the crew watching them. Oh, well, she thought. It wasn't like they would be able to say anything to Karen, even if they had heard about it. Right?
Pam found herself lost in thought as they stepped out into the cold air. She shivered as they both stopped in front of the door.
"Who's driving?" Pam asked.
"I'm almost out of gas, so we'll have to take your car. Do you have seat warmers?" Kelly asked.
"No," Pam said. That was part of a $1500 option package she couldn't afford when she got the car.
"Mine has them," Kelly said. "They're awesome, Pam. You totally should have gotten them, Pam, but. Oh, well."
===
Pam had immediately asked Kelly about the secret as soon as they got in the car, but Kelly insisted that she didn't want to talk about it until they got to the deli. "Trust me," she'd said. "You'll want to be sitting down when you hear this."
"I am sitting down," Pam had said, but Kelly wouldn't reveal any more.
They arrived at the deli on Main Ave. It was some spawn off a famous New York deli, and featured freshly sliced meats, cheeses, and a relish bar. The place was packed as well, probably due to their half-off grand-opening special.
"Okay," Pam said. "We're here. When were you going to tell me?"
"When we sit down, Pam. Seriously." She looked at Pam oddly. "You've never really been that into gossip before. You're totally in love with Jim, aren't you? That's why you want to know."
"What?" Pam asked, her cheeks immediately starting to burn. "I ... um..."
"Seriously, Pam. Everyone knows. Probably Karen, too. That's why you're just going to die when you hear this."
"Kelly," Pam said, touching her hands to her cheeks to cool them down. "How did you get this information, anyway?"
"A little bird told me," Kelly said, winking. "Just ... trust me. You won't believe it."
"You're killing me," Pam said, as they stepped up to the counter.
===
Every second that passed seemed like an hour. They grabbed their drinks, but the sandwiches took a few minutes. Then Kelly had to linger over the relish bar for several minutes. "Have you ever seen so many different types of relishes?" she squealed.
Pam felt ready to kill someone. "Are you doing this on purpose?" she asked.
"Doing what?" Kelly asked.
Pam sighed, walking over to the table by herself. Well, if Kelly was going to be like that, Pam could at least start eating. Maybe it would calm the nerves in her stomach, she thought. She had just started to take a bite of her sandwich when Kelly sat down.
"Okay," Kelly said excitedly. "I can't hold it in anymore."
"Thank God," Pam said.
"So, yesterday, I was talking to one of the girls who works at the New York branch, and..." She trailed off suddenly.
"And -- what?" Pam asked. She tapped Kelly's arm. "Kelly. Kelly. Earth to Kelly?"
"Unbelievable," Kelly said.
"What?" Pam asked. She noticed Kelly looking in the opposite direction. She turned her chair around to see Karen and Jim walking into the deli, two tables over from where they were sitting.
"Hey!" Karen said, noticing the two of them. She tapped Jim, who looked over, nodding. He smiled at them. They walked over towards Kelly and Pam. "Guess we're not the only ones who had a craving for a real sandwich. I heard this place was good. How is it?" Karen asked.
"Mmm," Pam nodded. She had just taken a huge bite before turning around. She swallowed, feeling the too-large chunk edge down her throat. She took a large sip of soda. "Um, yeah. It's good," she finally said.
"Can we join you, then?" Karen asked.
"Oh, um..." Pam paused, looking at Kelly.
"Sure!" Kelly said, moving over to the chair next to Pam.
Are you kidding me? Pam thought. What were the chances? She'd waited all this time, and now...this? Pam waited until they walked away. "Kelly," she said, leaning towards her. "Can you tell me now, before they come back? I mean, seriously, I waited all morning for this."
"No way," Kelly hissed back. "If I told you now, you'd never be able to make it through lunch with a straight face. Seriously. I'll tell you after we leave."
"I hate you," Pam said, sitting back in her chair.
===
Author's Chapter Notes:
Okay, first of all, I want to thank sharky for coming up with such a brilliant idea. I actually didn't think I'd get this up right away, but then I got all excited about it. And honestly? I can't wait to stump Moxie, so ...
Enjoy!
Chapter End Notes:
Will Karen be weird to Pam at lunch? Will the secret slip out? What could it possibly be? I suspect that the answer to these questions will soon be answered ... by someone else. Hahahaha.
