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September 1, 2006
She needed a vacation. It was more than a kind-of want, or a sort-of thing. She needed to get far away from the office before the insanity consumed her. The two-month break from the documentary was supposed to be a blessing. In the second week of June until September, the camera crews got a break, and things were supposed to quiet down. Michael’s vamped-up antics were supposed to calm down. People were supposed to start acting normal.
Acting normal. That wasn’t possible in this office.
Michael insisted on setting her up on blind dates. She thought he’d gotten the clue after he was trying to get her to go to dinner with Todd Packer, and she politely told him there was no chance whatsoever. But he didn’t. Soon he’d be bringing in people from around his condo, even though they had girlfriends. Soon he ran out of people to bring, and he made his move several times. Pam told him no, but he did not forgot all about it. Kelly had tried to do the same thing. She’d go on for hours about how cool her neighbor the cartoonist was. She’d talk about how badly Pam needed to go on a double date with her and Ryan. Eventually she gave up, and found another celebrity to rant about.
When Jim called her on Wednesday, giving her a break, she didn’t have to think twice.
“My uncle is having this big labor day weekend thing, and my mom is trying to browbeat me into coming.” He said on the phone that morning. She shifted around, not sure if meeting his family was the right thing to be doing right about now. “Do you want to go?”
“You want me to meet your parents and everything?” She replied unsure. She would love it, but it was hard to imagine them liking her.
“Of course, Beesley. Why wouldn’t I want you to come?.” He said with a dignified chuckle. She couldn’t help but break either. “I’ll drive.”
“Can I pick the music?” She said, slowly letting the idea wear her down. She really did want to spend the long weekend with him.
“Obviously.” He said breathlessly. She remembered the time they both did their Stanley impression, and she jinxed him. She had to go all the way over to Vance Refrigeration to get that coke, but it was worth the walk just to hear him say hi in that winded tone of voice.
“I’d really like to meet them.” She smiled as she said those words, realizing she was going to be meeting his family. That was a major step in their relationship.
“Okay. I’ll see you Friday then?” He asked, and she retorted with a solid yes.
She packed her bags at least six times, making sure every outfit was just perfect. Then she unfolded everything, feeling stupid for being so self-conscious. But she wanted to make a good impression. These were Jim’s relatives she was meeting. She didn’t want to feel like they were looking down on her in any way.
She put the bags in the trunk of her car, knowing full well that she was going to rush out of the office as soon as she could. The thought of seeing Jim made her giddy with anticipation, and the clock didn’t seem to move fast enough. Every time Michael burst in with an announcement, she sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. Looking down at her watch, she began counting down the hours until she would be back with Jim.
About an hour after she came to work, Pam decided she wasn’t a very patient woman. Getting out of work would not prove to be so difficult as she once believed. She put on her best sick face, and drudged into Michael’s office.
“Pam, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve been bit... by the love bug!” He exclaimed, still under the delusion that he had a chance with her. He didn’t really.
“I’m not feeling too good.” Pam moaned, faking illness.
“Well, take a minute, lie down. I can’t let you go home, I mean, those phones aren’t going to answer themselves.” He answered with a fake chuckle. Like an awkward one. He never did that kind of thing before. Pam was getting frustrated. This was going to require plan B.
“I’m having women troubles.” She said adamantly, and Michael instantly froze. Even mentioning those words combined was enough to make him infinitely uncomfortable.
“Those phones have voice mail.” He said, shifting nervous like a little boy in health class. Pam tried her hardest not to smile, but she nodded and walked out of his office. “Feel better, Pam.” He called out as she grabbed her purse from the counter.
“What’s wrong with her?” Dwight asked Michael as Pam made her to the door.
“Poor thing, she’s lovesick.” Michael sighed, then looked up at Dwight. “It would never work between her and me, though.” He shook his head, and walked back into the office.
“Did he just say it would never work between us?” She whispered to herself as she walked into the elevator. All she could do was sigh, and hope this weekend was going to erase all the bad memories Scranton had caused her.
***
“Women troubles? Did that seriously work?” Jim was barely able to speak as he asked this question. They had been in the car for twenty minutes, and between awkward silences, they began telling stories. “Wow, I can honestly say I did not expect that move from you.”
“I tried faking the plague, but that didn’t work. When in doubt, flaunt your assets.” Pam said with a giggle. She had never felt so free in her life. It used to be where road trips were big deals. It would require weeks of planning and packing, and the whole time she would be angry over some little detail. But everything was so spontaneous yet perfectly planned. She looked over at Jim, who was out of his normal suit and tie, now in a t-shirt. His hair tousled around from the wind funneling through his open window. He looked so amazing, Pam found it hard not to stare at him.
“This is going to be a good weekend.” She said, turning her attention back to the road. Miles of highway stretched out before the car. They still had a long time to go, but she was definitely going to enjoy the ride.
***
“Are you ready?” He said as the car sat immobile in the driveway. The closer to the house they got, the more nerves began to take hold of them. She was meeting his parents. His entire family. This wasn’t something light and fluffy as they once thought. Pam looked over at him with a reassuring smile.
“I think so.” She flattened out the wrinkles in her light blue miniskirt and took in one last breath. This was a step in the right direction. They both walked around to the trunk, and pulled out their luggage.
“I can get it.” Jim exclaimed as the two of them simultaneously went for her duffle bag. She looked at him, trying to decide if he really wanted to get it or was doing it out of duty or obligation. She pushed a stray lock of curls behind her ear, and gave up. Maybe he did want to do little things like that for her.
The farmhouse where Jim’s uncle lived was anything but quaint. Two stories stood before her. The white paint on the walls was slowly cracking off. Three acres of farmland surrounded her, and she felt this was not the time to mention she had never really been on a farm before.
A tall, slender woman came running to them as Jim and Pam stood at the tip of the driveway. Pam instantly recognized her from pictures on Jim’s desk. His old desk, anyway. She wrapped her arms around Jim, causing him to drop their bags.
“You’re here!” She exclaimed, engulfing her son in her embrace. Once their 30-second hug was done, she stepped towards Pam. “You must be Pam.” Pam nodded as his mom announced. She couldn’t help but feel stupid for smiling so much. It was just that she looked so happy to see her.
“Hello Mrs. Halpert.” Pam let out, shocked to be received so warmly by Jim’s mom. They had never met before, and here she was, locked in such a warm hug. Maybe that’s where Jim got it from.
“Oh, don’t be silly. Call me Larissa.” She replied once the embrace was broken. “Why don’t you take the bags in the house, everybody’s out back.” She gave explicit directions on what to do. It was such a nice afternoon, sitting in the house seemed like a ridiculous idea. Jim picked up the bags, and made his way into the house. Pam dutifully followed him.
“Your mom seems nice.” Pam said with a smile as they walked into the living room. It had a warm and welcoming vibe to it. She could see herself growing comfortable here.
“I think she likes you.” Jim admitted as he threw his suitcase at the edge of a staircase. He gently placed her bags next to his, and grabbed her by the small of her back. He gave her a light kiss, and smiled at her. “But then again, what’s not to like?”
“You’re sweet.” Pam squeaked as their hold still lingered. After nearly a second, he took her through the kitchen and out the back door. As she pushed her way through the screen door, he grabbed her hand in a comforting way. It certainly felt good. A large number of adults were sitting in lawn chairs, sipping on glasses of lemonade and bottles of beer. As Jim made his way towards the crowd, they all turned their attention to the two. Their grip on each other tightened.
“Jimmy!” A few of the men exclaimed, full of excitement. They raised their drinks at his arrival, and he acknowledged their welcomes with a nod.
“Jeez, aren’t you going to introduce us to your girlfriend?” Someone who looked almost exactly like Jim, except a couple years older, joked loudly after a few minutes of greetings. Pam looked down, embarrassed for some reason. She knew she really didn’t have any reason to be, but she couldn’t help but feel humiliated.
“Everybody, this is Pam.” Jim practically yelled at the top of his lungs. All the adults waved, and murmered different hellos towards her. They found two vacant chairs next to what Pam presumed was Jim’s older brother.
“We know all about you, Pam.” Jim’s brother poked, a sheepish grin on his face. “Or, at least it feels like it since he’s talked about you so much.”
“Well, there all lies, I’m sure.” Pam jested, and the circle of people burst into laughter.
“The girl’s got spunk!” Jim’s grandfather exclaimed, slapping his knee with giddiness.
“Pam, this is my brother Joey.” Jim finally began proper introductions. Pam offered Joey her hand, shaking it vigorously. “And that is his wife Sarah.” Pam gave the trim blonde sitting next to Joey a handshake as well. Handshakes, Beesley? This is Jim’s family, not a job interview. “My uncle Dave, with whom we will be staying.” He continued, pointing towards the fifty-something man on her right. She went against her instincts, and gave him a handshake as well.
“It’s a pleasure.” He said sweetly, and she immediately knew that the sweetness Jim possessed ran in the family.
“It’s really good to meet all of you.” Pam said sweetly, once again tucking the hair behind her ears. It was a nice, warm day outside, and the afternoon was just getting started. Jim managed to get them some beer, and she was definitely looking forward to the weekend.
***
After dinner and dishes, Pam found herself sitting on the front porch just thinking. It was so quiet out here. The children had finally quieted down in front of the TV. The adults were gathered around the table, playing a game of cards. She could still hear them chattering, but on the whole, it was very quiet. The quiet was a good place to think.
The first few weeks after she left Roy were hard. Every time she thought about it, she wondered if she had made the right choice. It hurt so much being alone, knowing she was supposed to be getting married soon. She had to convince herself that first week she was making the right choice. She didn’t deserve to be in a relationship with somebody who would hurt her like that.
But now? There was no more doubt if she had made the right choice. There were moments in her life she wouldn’t trade for anything. In a way, that had saved her. Catching Roy, leaving him. It saved her from that life she didn’t want. And now she was happy. For once.
The ringing of her cell phone interrupted the card game. Everybody clamored, trying to figure where it was coming from.
“Where is she?” Jim asked, going for her purse. They all simply shrugged, and he pulled out her phone. It was probably important, so he just answered it for her. “Hello?”
“Pam?” A voice slurred on the other end. It didn’t take long for Jim to realize who was on the other end. And clearly not only was he drunk, but calling his girlfriend’s cell phone. “Pam are you there? Baby, I miss you so much.” Jim stammered as Roy was on the other end, crying in his drunken haze. It was like that night on booze cruise, or maybe even worse. “I know I hurt you, but I need you so much!” Anger rose in Jim’s throat as he fought to not hurt someone, namely Roy Anderson. “Just let me know I have a chance.”
“You don’t, Roy.” Jim snapped, surprised the words were coming out of his mouth. “She doesn’t love you anymore.” And before Roy could have a rebuttle, Jim slammed the phone shut with one loud crack. The room suddenly fell silent, and stared at him.
“What’s going on?” Pam asked as she walked back in from the porch. Nearly everybody turned from him to her, waiting for a reaction.
“Can we talk outside?” Jim asked, trying to contain the anger in his voice. Pam was still confused about what was going on, but followed him nonetheless.
“Why is Roy still calling you?” Jim burst out as they were standing in the front lawn of the farm. Pam stopped moving, just looking at him for an answer. “Your cell phone was ringing, and I answered. He was calling you.”
“What???” Pam exclaimed, noting the change in pitch in her voice.
“Has he done it before?” Jim asked, feeling the jealousy filling in his throat. “I mean, I think I should know if your ex-fiancée has been drunk dialing you every once and a while.”
“Why are you getting mad at me?” Pam shrieked, watching Jim’s disposition change drastically. He had been so happy mere seconds ago, and now he was blowing up at her. “I didn’t do anything.”
“Exactly.” Jim spat out, still amazed at all this rage going on beneath his skin. “I just don’t think you’ve given him clear enough signals that what you guys had was over.”
“Oh my God.” Pam scoffed, burying her head in her hands. “It is impossible to talk to you right now.” It was this that made him realize what was happening. He stepped towards her, trying to console her. She broke away from his gestures. “Obviously you have some issues you need to work out if you’re going to be doing this.”
He wanted to follow her as she stormed back into the house. She stomped up the stairs, and he wanted to just stop her and kiss her. Make her forget all about this stupid argument. But he couldn’t do that. Not just yet. So he let her walk inside, and fall asleep early in another room. Their vacation was off to a great start.
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© 2006-2023 More Than That | Skin created by Kali