Irving returned from court to his office exhausted and bedraggled. The simple case had gone out of hand; he’d eaten fast food standing up on the court house steps. Irving hadn’t even had a moment to enjoy Valentines Day with his husband this morning. Just a kiss, an intimate hug. Eric had texted Irving asking if he could bring him tea for a tea break at the office, which Irving had jumped at – but of course, the case had dragged on, and Irving missed the window when Eric was available for lunch hour. Typing every “I’m sorry” hurt.
Irving sighed as the elevator doors opened. He was supposed to make dinner for them at home tonight, and he wondered how on Earth he was going to find he energy to cook the lamb in the fridge. Irving dragged himself past the office lobby, and said a ‘hello’ to the secretary as he walked passed. “Oh, Mr. Macintosh!” Irving stopped and his briefcase banged against his leg. “Yes, Darla?” She smiled and giggled. “You had a visitor.” “I did?” “You did. In your office.” “Was it Eric?” She just smiled. “You’ll see.”
Irving chewed his lower lip. “What was he up to?” He strolled to his office with a pep to his step. Irving opened the door and froze in place, air in his lungs. There was a trio of balloons tied to the back of his chair; a white one, a pink one, and a red heart one. Eric had repotted his cactus into a bold red and white ceramic pot, a vast upgrade from the small plastic brown one held together with tape after being pushed off the desk by slipping files. Then he saw the treats. The top of his three foot book case had been cleared of art books and an award from law school, and covered by a white place mat from their dining room.
Eric had left a tray – his grandmother’s tray – dotted with cream puffs decorated with lovely red hearts. Next to it was a pot of tea wrapped in a yarn warmer. Eric leaned his briefcase against the desk and wandered over to inspect the display further. There was a card in front of the tea pot. Eric opened it. “Happy Valentines Day. Love you, and don’t feel bad about being busy. It just an opportunity to surprise you. With all my love – Eric. PS: Remember that tea we had in Paris? Found it! Also, share the puffs, I held mine back <3.”
Irving took the card to his desk. He sat down in the chair, making the balloons sway. Irving pulled the heart one down to hold it; then covered his eyes with his hands and wept. The fatigue and stress melted away. After a few hiccups, Irving released the balloon and blew his nose. He rushed to the bathroom to wash his hands and cool his face. He called Eric from the bathroom, professed his love, and pushed away tears again. Once he hung up, he had to refresh again. Work forgotten, Irving rushed back to his office for his afternoon tea break. He poured himself a cup of tea, plucked up a cream puff, and turned his chair to the window to watch the birds soar over the river. His thoughts drifted to the dinner he would be preparing in a few hours. Did they have candles? He was sure they did somewhere.
_______________________________ Captions are fictional.
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