Roof
She rushes back to the ladies’ room to touch up her make-up and hair before leaving. Jim decided they should go straight to dinner after work for their date, as if putting space and time between them might break the magical spell that has been cast over the couple. She wishes she were wearing anything but dreary work clothes for their first date. Wait, she corrects herself, second date. Her mind wafts back to a cold night on the roof with grilled cheese sandwiches, so-called fireworks in the parking lot, and swaying to a song on his iPod with him.
Cellar
He takes her to her apartment after dinner, but both are confused as to what should happen next. The day’s whirlwind events seem to start creeping into their minds and the repercussions were beginning to take hold, but neither was ready for the day to end. She invites him in to watch TV. They turn it to a showing of Twister and begin talking about what they think is Dwight’s cellar on his beet farm, because of course he has one, and because this is what is comfortable ground for them. He leaves later after making fun of Bill Paxton.
Tapestry
Three weekends later, he takes her to visit museums in New York City. Despite having on twenty-some days pass between his last visit, the environment has a different feel. Yes, he had a good time running around with Karen, but it wasn’t his favorite kind of fun. Now, standing next to Pam and taking turns with her in their new game of “Imagine What The Giant Tapestry is Depicting”, he thinks Karen would roll her eyes at Pam giving names to the serfs woven in the cloth, but this is his fun. This is his way of being an adult.
Looking Glass
She has yet to regret setting her alarm for a slightly earlier time in the morning. She doesn’t mind spending a few extra minutes in front of the mirror. The looser curls in her hair and enhancement to her wardrobe and make-up may cost her some sleep and a bigger piece of her paycheck, but she is okay with it. The way he grabs her tendril to twist between his fingers makes it okay with her. Looking into the mirror, she believes she can see a physical change in herself, as well as feeling the metamorphosis into Fancy, New Beesly.
Porch
He sat in a chair on the porch of his place with his feet propped up on the railing marking the border of the cement. It was the night of the week when Pam drove a couple of hours to her art class, which left him and his thoughts alone. Before whenever he dared to think of a future with Pam, it was painful yet easy because he didn’t think it would actually happen. But now that they were together, it was difficult and frightening. He knew it was right, but facing the future you want is a scary thing.
Sofa
It has been another late night of finding a movie on TV and either quoting the lines ahead of the actors, or making fun of the way things are on the screen. He notices that she has been quiet even though it is one of her favorite parts, so he looks down to see that she has fallen asleep against his arm. He no longer has to hide the shy smile that creeps across his face behind his hand when things like this happen. The grin begins to fade when invisible needles start stabbing him up and down his arm.
Spice Rack
He can’t help but laugh when he opens her cabinet looking for some oregano for the lasagna. He was fully expecting, knowing how organized she likes to be, to find the spices in her cabinet arranged in alphabetical order; instead he finds her spices arranged by color. She threatens him with trouble and a punishing prank involving Andy if he doesn’t stop making fun of her, and he immediately stops. While he may have started most of the pranks at the office, she was one who came up with some of the more genius and scary elements to their mischief.
Bric-a-Brac
She hears Michael go back into his office and shut the door, signifying that she no longer has to pretend to do the work she finished an hour ago. Looking around the office, she begins to notice all the little, unremarkable objects that mark moments in her relationship with Jim. There are the jellybeans, the can of grape soda sitting on his desk, the spot on the wall between Michael’s office and the conference room where the paint is a lighter fresher to cover up the hole Andy punched into the wall out of frustration from the prank they pulled.
Story Notes:
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
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