“Have you been to the new donut shop?”
“It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you;
you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”
>>>—>
“No, I haven’t.”
“Oh man, you have got to go… good coffee but their double glaze classics are to die for! And I’d kill for a Boston creme Long John, they are legendary. Oh and don’t even get me started on their fritters…”
His officemate went on raving with building enthusiasm while Jerome chewed on the statement for a moment, their donuts are to die for... For the first time in his life, the old saying struck him between the eyes. He couldn’t think of a single item in his own life that could inspire such zealous praise.
He sized up his supersized acquaintance with a heart the size of his belly. He was the definition of a jolly fellow and easily Jerome’s favorite person to work within the office space they shared. A pang of concern flooded through Jerome followed by the overwhelming sense that he didn’t want to see his accomplice go out like that. How can I relay that to him without hurting his feelings? Jerome continued mulling it over, looking for an opportune time to intercede without raining on Robbie’s parade.
His office mate went on, listing at least ten other types of donuts offered by Wolfpack Tasties while Jerome spun around his thoughts for some way to approach his acquaintance without seeming unkind.
“What are you doing for lunch?” Robbie’s question brought him back.
“Oh, I packed a lunch, so the usual I guess,” Robbie cocked his head, “Um, an apple and some mixed nuts and dried fruit, and a sandwich.” Jerome offered.
“What?” Robbie clicked his tongue, “Ah no, that is so boring, you gotta live a little! Get out of your box Jerry!”
Jerome blinked away his surprise and chuckled. “To each their own I guess, I like it! Just the right amount of stuff to keep my energy level and its one of the only combos I’ve found that doesn’t leave me feeling sleepy after lunch.”
“Oh, man well I am gonna bring some donuts back with me, so if you want to throw in a dollar I’ll reserve the best one for you.” Jerome watched as his coworker wiped at the saliva forming at the edges of his lips. He chuckled and shook his head as Robbie continued after sucking down the remnants of his Mt. Dew. “Oh man, they are killer, it’s making me hungry just thinkin’ about them! I can’t wait to see the look on your face when you try them. They will change your life! They are like, crack, man.”
He didn’t stop there, “I mean, If there was a drop dead gorgeous lady offering to come home with me and she was standing next to a table with a ‘free donuts for life’ customer card to this place, and I could only choose one, I mean… I’d take the card bro.” His face went slack to relay his dedication to the statement.
Again, Jerome laughed and shook his head, seizing the opportunity to intervene. “Better be careful Robbie, Don’t get too attached to them, they might actually cost you an arm and a leg. Maybe keep it to like, a donut or two a week?” He offered, doing his best to apply the jab in a friendly tone. Though the concern took root as Robbie wheezed his laughter and struggled to his feet.
“Oh, that’s cruel buddy. Hearin’ you talk like that hurts my heart.” He thumped his closed fist playfully over his chest.
“Uh, No… I hate to say it, but I think the donuts you love so much you’d give up the opportunity to take home a new sweetheart… I think those are hurting your heart more than anything I could possibly say. I am concerned for you my friend. Have you had a check up lately?”
“Nah, doctors are a joke,” Jerome nodded, inclined to agree after his own last visit, always a pill for everything and not much for active advice.
“They all say the same things.” Robbie offered, confirming Jerome’s private thoughts. He dismissively waved his hand and leaned on the counter while he pulled his phone from his pocket heaving a few labored breaths. “Man, the next three hours are gonna crawl!”
He shoved the phone back in his pocket, perking up as a plump blonde meandered into the room to join them. “Heeeey, save your appetite Debbie!” She stopped in her tracks midway to the vending machine and glanced back over her shoulder as if trying to measure the appropriate level of offence to be taken.
Robbie gave her his best smile, “I’m heading to Tastie’s for donuts! If you throw in a few bucks I’ll save one for ya!” He beamed. She turned around, her attention officially grabbed.
“Oh, awesome! I heard that place is great!” She chirped. “Buuuuut I have meetings for the next two hours,” She rolled her eyes. “I just need a bite of something sweet to keep the boredom at bay, you know how it is.” He nodded conspiratorially with a tart grin.
“Oh, totally, totally, but I just wanted to give you a heads up. So if you wanna throw in, I think I might bring back a dozen donuts or so for the office. I will keep a jelly filled on lock just for you!”
Robbie threw up two thumbs with a wide mouth smile. Everyone within the vicinity burst into laughter. He was impossible not to like.
Too much of a good thing, the saying echoed through Jerome cutting his laughter short with a sharp pang of sadness. What a good guy, he thought, wishing he could do something to curb his enthusiasm toward things that were literally taking his breath away.
He watched Debbie make her way to the vending machine with a renewed pep in her step. She looked over the options and added her offering before tapping out her choice. The screw uncoiled from a bag of nacho cheese Doritos. She reached in and snatched them out, the change clanked and with her free hand she gathered up the coins also.
With a sweeping turn she looked proudly back at Robbie. She shook the bag, “I was going to get skittles but you inspired me to hold off. I can wait for my sweet treat for another few hours!”
“Atta Girl!” His smile widened to a toothy grin.
She sashayed from the break room. “What a cool lady, see?” He nudged at Jerome. “See? She gets it!”
The two men said their goodbyes, Jerome tossed a few dollars into the donut pot, kicking himself for encouraging the behavior as he left the room but the idea of an afternoon pick-me-up didn’t sound all bad. It had been months since he’d last enjoyed one and these would be fresh off the bake line. He let go of the idea haunting him. All it takes is one too many…
…
Jerome spent the remainder of the morning tied up in meetings of his own. He finalized a project review and signed off on a bundle of to-do’s he’d been putting off. By the time lunch rolled around he felt he’d earned the sweet treat coming his way. There were two bullets he’d left unchecked on his list that required Robbie’s final say and instead of emailing him for quick results he’d figured their lunch rendeavour could serve a dual purpose.
He came into the break room only to find it empty. There was no box of deserts waiting with the humorous note he’d come to expect. He probably got tied up in projects. Jerome considered. He opened the breakroom fridge and pulled out his lunch bag. Looking around the brightly fluorescently lit space he decided to take his lunch outside and swing his companion a text once he’d situated himself in the outdoor courtyard standing between their building and the one next door.
The lunch hour came and went with no sign of Robbie. Jerome checked his phone as he went to pack up his trash and toss it. Still nothing. He shrugged, imagining he was running a little behind schedule and would catch up with him later in the afternoon.
By the end of day Jerome had all but forgotten the lunch meeting that never happened. A stack of tasks had eaten away his afternoon and left him ready to be home and left to himself. He peeked into the breakroom, saying goodbye to the few stragglers left chattering around the watercooler.
The next morning, the office was quieter than normal, there was something in the atmosphere that didn’t bode well. Though faint at first, Jerome felt the weight of it as he drew closer to the breakroom. He peeped around the corner to find a large box of donuts propped open with a simple note. “Take One.”
Not Robbie’s normal style of humor but at least he’d made good on his end of the bargain.
Jerome approached the box and eyeballed them, trying to remember which Robbie had suggested first. “I would Kill for a boston creme long john… they are to die for!” Jerome smiled and reached for the chocolate frosted hoagie he assumed to be Robbie’s favorite. Now he could tell him he’d tried one. He took a bite and closed his eyes. It was delicious.
With his breakfast in hand he made his way back to the cubical block with his name on it. En route he made a small detour to stop at Robbie’s and thank him for his offering. He stopped in front of his office mate’s cube, glancing at the name tab glistening at the front entrance to be sure he was at the right one.
A small framed woman was collecting his things with her back turned to him.
“Excuse me, have you seen Robbie?” He asked, not sure what else to say. “I wanted to thank him for the donuts.”
Before he’d finished the woman turned to face him, he glanced at the framed picture sitting next to his friends keyboard to confirm, the woman matched the one holding tightly to Robbie. “Oh, you must be Robbie’s wife?” He held out his hand, his enthusiasm sinking as he realized behind her glasses her eyes were red and puffy as if she’d been crying.
“You must be Jerome,” She smiled, tears welling at the brim of her eyelids. “He talked about you often.”
“Is, is everything okay?” A sense of foreboding gathered in Jeromes gut. He lowered the donut, feeling the need to hide it behind his back as it caught her eye.
She sank into the desktop, placing her weight against it. “You must not have heard. Robbie… My Robbie passed away last night.” Her voice shuttered.
Jerome nearly dropped his donut. Words escaped him.
“He had a massive heart attack yesterday afternoon on his way back from lunch and he didn’t make it. He passed away at the hospital late last night. I… I came to drop off the donuts, he had a note to go with them but, I didn’t feel it was fitting for the occasion… I just, wanted to do everything he wanted to have done.” She rambled through as though on autopilot until her voice trailed off.
“I’m… Mrs. Hostene, I’m so…” Jerome cleared his throat, it was tightening, his head swam. He moved in closer and placed a sticky hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine the pain you are…” His voice cracked. “I’m so sorry. Please. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Would you like me to collect all of this and swing it by later this week?”
She looked up and nodded her head, grateful for the offer. “If you wouldn’t mind… I don’t know how to do all of this.” She looked down at her hands.
Jerome brought the fragile woman in for a hug, patting her on the shoulder. “Robbie was a great man, a really good friend. I am so sorry Mrs. Hostene.” She grabbed hold tightly, shaking quietly. “Mrs. Hostene can I walk you to your car? Let me take care of his office space alright?” She nodded into his chest and leaned in hard as he led her toward the cubical opening.
They walked together in silence to the elevator, each absorbed in their own thoughts over the loss. Again, the thought from the day prior echoed through Jerome’s mind in a more complete version as he walked the heartbroken, recently widowed woman to her vehicle… Too much of a good thing costs more than the one indulging.
Moral of the story: Take care that what you consume doesn’t consume you.