Short Story--Office Surprise--Day

For the last few years, I've shared a short story here on my blog, one piece a day for the week of my birthday. This is my fifth year to do this, although my birthday isn't technically until next week. It fit my calendar better this week.

All the others are still on my blog under the link "Short Stories." Feel free to go back and read the others. And in the meantime, I have a new one this week. Enjoy!

​Here's part one.

“No, Mom.”

Macy tried to tune out the voice filtering over from the next cubicle, but it was hard. David was worked up about something. Not that it took much for him to catch her attention. Between his mellow voice and his thick dark hair, he made it hard to focus on work several times a day.

“That’s very sweet, and you know I love you for it. But no. I don’t need a celebration.”

Celebration? One of Macy’s favorite words. Something told her this spreadsheet would not be finished today.

“Mom, seriously. No.” He paused. “Yes, I know it’s been three-hundred and sixty-five days. But that doesn’t mean we need to celebrate. Seriously.”

A tapping followed, as if he were letting out frustration through his pen. Macy lifted a brow.

“Yes. We can have dinner. But nothing more. I don’t want a big deal made.”

Was it his birthday? What else could he be talking about? A celebration for something that happened once a year.
​
Macy stifled a squeal. Any excuse to eat cake was a good one in her book.

“Okay, Mom. Okay. I’ll see you for dinner.” David’s chair squeaked. “But promise me—nothing more.”

He must’ve heard the answer he requested because he wrapped his phone call up after that and all was silent once more save the clacking of people typing nearby. Macy’s brain traveled a mile a minute.

The office had already celebrated three birthdays this month. Would their cake fund have any money left? They normally only had one or two celebrations a month. Why were there so many November birthdays?

She shook her head. Getting off track. A few clicks revealed the birthday fund only held a few dollars. That could be a problem.

Would people want to chip in for yet another cake this month? Would it lower next month’s funds? Macy frowned. She was overthinking this. A simple cake didn’t cost that much. She’d just pay for one herself. She had a little cushion and it would be a great way to welcome the newest office-mate to their birthday club.

David had only been there a little over a month. He started right during the middle of the huge Tyler project so he hadn’t had a chance to meet many of them. This was the perfect opportunity.
​
Macy nodded to herself, finished a few more small tasks, and then set out to secretly hatch a plan with a few others. If there was anything she loved, it was celebrating a birthday.

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Come back tomorrow to find out what happens next. Think David will be surprised?