Umbrella (A Short Story)

Article 028.

Jenny was smitten. She and maybe the entire 4th floor female congregation, where the women evidently outnumber the men. Not only is there a disparity in the gender population at Athena Inc., but the amount of gorgeous women was undeniably prevalent. It was so obvious you would think Recruitment works for the Miss Universe pageantry. Competition is fierce so she knew she had no shot at the guy. And 25 year-old Jenny also knew that it was her radiant personality and Magna Cum Laude feather that landed her the job and not her curly hair and thick glasses. Plus Cedric, the center of all the madness, is a snob or at least that's what non-Sales people say about him. He is tall, chiseled-face, has well-moisturized skin and dresses almost GQ'esque-like with his earth-toned suits and an array of Oxford shoes. It doesn't hurt that he’s been a consistent Sales Performer for the company either.

Jenny was just 3 months into the job when she first laid eyes on Cedric. Her Boss asked her to hand over a memo to the Sales VP and she has never been to the other side of the office. She never had any reason to until that day. Cedric was standing across the VP's office chatting with a peer and the very moment her eyes made contact to his commanding stance, she can already tell from afar that the musky fragrance lingering in the confined air was his. As she slowly approaches her destination, she was deliberately staring at him, convinced that she can make him give her a glance. He didn't. She handed off the memo and walked back to her side of the office, taking one last look from the corner of her eye to see if he notices her presence. Na-da.

There's been a lot of Cedric happening in the office lately as the company celebrates his successful sales run via the monthly Floor Meetings, which Jenny just first witnessed since finishing training. The Sales VP was calling out all the Top Performers from both Sales and Operations and there was a very obvious gasp of adoration every time Cedric's name gets called. “What’s up with this guy? Why is he so well-adored aside from his Rob Lowe-features??”, Jenny wonders.

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It was a typical Wednesday morning when Jenny’s Boss called her into his office. “Corina just left the company and they need a new body on the Ad Hoc Committee. I volunteered you. Thought this would be a good way to get you out there. What do you say?” 

“Sounds more like a volun-told you jerk!”, talking in her head but quickly responded, “Oh how lovely!”

“I knew you would love the idea!”, the Boss added. “Go reach out to Helena and she will tell you all about it.” Jenny grins and closes the door on her way out.

Jenny had no idea what the Ad Hoc Committee does and to what extent the volunteering would require her. She is still trying to make a name for herself as the new Senior Systems Analyst and was afraid that this new responsibility will eat up some of her time. She would rather go home at the crack of 5 and read away on her Nicholas Spark collection. But now she has to stay a few hours every Thursday night to take more orders from a lady she barely knows.

The next day, there she was. Standing in front of gorgeous Helena, a definite head-turner. Pencil-cut skirt, silky top, pearl necklace with a full-bodied brunette hair to die for. Three other employees comprise the Ad Hoc Committee-- slightly effeminate Jeff, bubbly Rhonda and the intern Ron. Jenny comes to find out that they are the ones who organize the monthly Floor Meetings, and whatever activity the Sales VP decides to throw at the Sales & Ops Department. Jenny was not ecstatic at all. Eventhough she considers herself sociable, she hates being in front of a big audience. Now she vividly recalls Helena during the last event standing in front of the crowd, whom she thought was getting recognized but now figures she was just there because she was the Head Organizer. Jenny should've known better what the Ad Hoc Team does and to avoid being a part of it, but realized her Boss didn't give her much of a choice here.

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Several months passed and Jenny spearheaded a few projects that has gotten praises from her Boss. Plus she managed to stay behind the limelight as part of Ad Hoc so everything was sailing along to her liking. Suddenly, there’s an unfamiliar visitor at her cubicle.

"Hi! Are you Jenny? I'm Cedric with Sales. How's it going?"

Jenny was dumbfounded. Didn't speak for a whole 5 seconds before blurting out-- "Yes I'm Jenny how can I help you?"

"I was told that you did the analysis report for the Canseco account, is that right? It's my account and I have a presentation with them next week. I just have a few questions about your analysis. Do you have a few minutes?"

She nodded. Cedric pulled a chair from the empty cubicle across and sat down intimately close to Jenny. She can't forget the first time she smelled that same fragrance. Cedric starts blabbering away pointing out the spreadsheet on his tablet asking Jenny how she came up with those figures. Jenny could clearly not concentrate but was able to gather herself the last minute to provide her explanation. Cedric nods. "Not bad Jenny, not bad. Thanks!" And just like that he was gone. "How does he not know me? I'm part of the Ad Hoc Committee. The same committee who hands him his award every month. I handed him his award!" Rhonda comes in from nowhere and gleefully asks Jenny, "What did he ask you?"

"Nothing. Just a question regarding the numbers for the Canseco account. Why?"

"He never approaches any of the analysts. He always email stuff!", Rhonda replies.

"Well I guess he must've been really perplexed of how the totals add up that's why he came over. I mean he acted very professional and didn't really notice me. But I've noticed that he acts a bit awkward during the Floor Meetings whenever he's near our group. What's happening?"

"Oh you didn't know? Cedric and Helena used to date!". Rhonda giggles.

That explains a lot. "The hot guy dates the hot chick! Hmm.." Jenny wondered why she didn't figure that out a lot sooner.

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It was rush-hour Tuesday afternoon. The rain was pouring and Jenny was at the main entrance of the building which has a modest shade upfront but certainly not designed to cover a crowd of people. She puts her oversized umbrella up but for the life of her, couldn't open the only thing that would keep her decently dry. She witnesses the downtown mob getting thicker on the street and she has two blocks to walk to her train stop. The umbrella situation is starting to frustrate her. A man standing beside her grabs the umbrella and twists the handle a bit harder to open it up, to Jenny's delight. "Hey since I helped you with your umbrella, do you mind sharing it through the walk? I'll go however far you can take me and I'm headed towards the train station about two blocks from here." Jenny agreed. "I'm headed there!" They have the same destination and she's not about to let this guy drench after his nice gesture.

They start walking. "Jenny right?", says Cedric. She gave him a smirk. 

"You know me?"

"Ahh yeah. Thanks by the way for breaking down the Canseco report for me. I met with them yesterday and I'm happy to say, we are keeping them for another 4 years. Great work you!" The killer smile got Jenny all wobbly, almost tripping on the muddle of water in front of her but Cedric was able to grab her shoulder to avoid what could've been a really embarrassing moment. "Easy now!" he quips.

"Aren't you part of the Ad Hoc Committee? Thanks for organizing the monthly recognition. I appreciate it!"

Jenny whispering to herself, "Aaahh he notices that too."

"You should thank Helena, she's the Team Leader!" Jenny was soliciting. Cedric stays quiet.

They barely talked along the way. The streets were bustling and they could hardly hear each other with the rain, car engines and loud voices around, there was no point of conversing. But Jenny swears Cedric was checking her out. She felt a little giddy on the inside. They get to the station and both of them were taking the G-Line, with Cedric getting off at 5th Avenue and Jenny at Dolores Station, three stops apart. Two spots opened up inside the train and they quickly grabbed the seats. Cedric puts on his wired earphones and starts rocking his head to the beat. Offers up half of the buds and asks Jenny if she wants to listen in. She smiles and obliges. It was Good Times by Edie Brickell (https://youtu.be/iqL1BLzn3qc?si=725Z6hP1soKFDpzM), one of her favorites. Certainly broke the ice and they started talking about life, work and exactly what is that one thing that Meatloaf won't do for love. Lots of laughs and a few instances of awkward stares. It was premature to think but Jenny felt there was some mutual attraction building. But what she was absolutely certain about was that very moment, all the bad impressions she had about Cedric was immediately thrown out the window. The guy is dreamy awesome! They talked to what felt like an eternity of train stops. Jenny was smitten... again.

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Jenny wore a rather fitting dress the next day. Had a shade redder than her usual lipstick, pulled her hair up and wore contacts instead. She felt inspired, she looked inspired. That train ride moment with Cedric was a bliss. She's hoping there was more to the story. But she never saw Cedric that day, or the next, or the next after that. She didn't see him the following week either. Cedric was noticeably absent for a good amount of time and the rumor mill was he jumped ship to Athena's biggest competitor, Maxiload. The Sales VP finally broke the news at the next Floor Meeting. "It is with sad news that I share this with everyone. Cedric is taking an indefinite leave of absence as his son passed away two weeks ago due to a tragic accident. Please send prayers over to Cedric and his family."

Jenny was devastated but her mind was snoopy. "He had a son?" Cedric never mentioned anything about it. Not that he's obliged to share that detail, but she was hoping having a child would be something Cedric would be proud of divulging. "How old is the kid and what kind of tragic accident was it? Who's the mother? Is it Helena?" The questions kept piling up. Several months passed and the only news they heard about him was that he quit the job. Jenny can only cherish that one moment she had with him. The only one she had as Cedric is forever gone in her life.

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Jenny is now the Assistant VP for Business Operations at this prominent Accounting Firm in Stanton. It's been 15 years since the Ad Hoc days she had at Athena Inc. Her abrupt moving out of that company barely two years into the job was a great career move for her. The office politics there were rampant. Now in her early forties, she had three failed but what she calls "educational" relationships, a dog named Fiber (who oddly chews on metal), a few white hair strands, her own Ad Hoc Committee in the office and a nice penthouse condo with an exceptional view of the city proper. She still takes the train in most days preferring the rail over driving into city traffic. Plus the train station is just a block away from her office building. Very convenient.

It was Spring season and melting ice from up north has been pouring heavily in the city. Jenny has a much, much reliable umbrella from several years ago. The old ones she used to buy from a thrift shop, not surprisingly, never lasted long. But now her Prada umbrella has served her well. It was sturdy and dummy-proof, at least it has been so far. But that Tuesday of all days, when she was going home early to celebrate a special occasion later that night, for the very first time in her umbrella-life, it would not open. Although she knew she had time to spare, she also knew that she'll get stranded at the office if she doesn't fix it soon enough. And all that time she freed-up for herself would just go for granted.

Eventhough she had her raincoat on, the pour is starting to mess up her hair. So she took shade on the side of the building as she tries to figure out her pricey tool. A gentleman standing beside her grabbed the umbrella and straightened one of the hinges to pave the way for the umbrella to spread out. "Hey since I helped you with your umbrella, do you mind sharing it through the walk? I'll go however far you can take me and I'm headed towards the train station about a block from here!" She didn't wanna believe the voice she heard. But as she turns her head to see the Good Samaritan, it was exactly who she thought it was... Cedric.

"Hey Jenny, how are you?"

And just like in that cubicle when Cedric first approached her, Jenny was dumbfounded. Didn't speak for a whole 5 seconds again before blurting out-- "Cedric???"

"Yeah, it's me. I actually work at this Advertising company on the 5th. I believe yours is the 8th, right? I had seen you a few times already since I started about 5 years ago. Just never had the chance to approach you. You're always either about to grab a cab or fully engaged in the company of your co-workers when I see you. When you started walking towards this side of the building to take shelter, I thought you've already recognized me. Anyway, how have you been?"

"How have I been?? How have YOU been? Are you forgetting that you just went incognito after the last time I saw you getting off the train station? Nobody in the office have seen you since then, right? Oh and I'm sorry about your son."

Cedric was silent. "Hey do you have a a few minutes to spare? Let's grab a cup of coffee across the street." Jenny looked at her watch. She has time.

It was warm inside the coffee shop. They took the seats in the corner, a perfect spot if you needed some privacy. She had a latte and him an Americano. They kinda picked up where they left off with their small talk and both of them felt weirdly happy to having this moment again after all those years.

"I never had the chance to ask you this before but... why were you such a dick back then? You acted like you're above everyone else. What was that about?" Jenny was quite direct but was really interested.

"You see I never was like that. When I started at Athena, I befriended everybody. This was a few years ago before you even joined. I was nice and greeted everyone. I knew everyone. Then one day I received a tie as a gift from someone in the office. And then the next day a handful of roses and some chocolates from different co-workers. I was appreciative of the gesture and the attention I'm getting but it started to get a bit outta hand and overwhelming to be honest. I dialed down a bit on the friendliness level. That's when I started seeing Helena. I thought going out with her would back other ladies up. Which it did for a bit but the tipping point was Vanessa from Operations, remember her from your team? She reported me to HR for harassment and said that I misled her in believing I liked her. Which was far from the truth. I was just a friendly guy trying to get around, you know, to survive. HR didn't believe me and I was put on disciplinary action. It didn't stop me from accomplishing my job but from thereon I decided to be as aloof and snobbish as I could be."

Jenny was intently listening. She liked this guy even more now from two decades ago. "What happened with Helena? She seemed like a really great gal?" Now Jenny was really prying.

Cedric took a deep breathe. "The truth is, I had my son Charlie early when I was 18. The mom died due to congenital heart failure when he was 3. We never married though. So I had to raise my son on my own. I wanted to keep my son's privacy so I kept that to myself. But since I was dating Helena and the relationship was getting a bit serious, I told her about my kid. For some reason she never really understood my being a single Dad and the demands that come with it. I had to juggle work, Charlie and her and time was very precious. Eventually she called it quits because she said she deserved better. I agree but that's all I could give her at that time. So from thereon I kept my being a father even more covertly. I had Helena promise to keep it in secrecy and I'm thankful she did. I didn't tell you as well because I didn't know how you would take it. I wanted to but decided I'll save it for another day. That day never came, didn't it? I guess today's the day!"

Jenny was smitten... for that moment at least. If this was back then, her iris would've turned into the shape of a heart if it could. But her tone immediately turned serious as she asked about Charlie.

Cedric took another deep breathe. "Remember that night in the train? We had such a great conversation that I missed getting off my stop and had to take the train back? I knew after that that I had to talk to you again the next day. You actually made a great impression already on me that time at your desk explaining the report for the Canseco account. I didn't want to break my character as the "jerk" from Sales and just wanted to be professional so that's why I was in and out of there. But I didn't know if there would be another chance for us to speak. Now you stepping outside the building that rainy day and standing beside me, obviously not paying attention to her surroundings and intensely having a fight with her umbrella, now that was a sign I could not pass up. I liked you and that smartness aura you were trying to project!"

"Trying to project? I AM smart and wasn't trying to project anything!", Jenny in her head. She smiles at Cedric. "Go on!"

"I was to pick up Charlie that day after piano lessons as the nanny texted me that she couldn't pick him up. I'm never late picking Charlie up because he gets really upset when I am. Picks up from her Mom I guess, who is always several minutes early to any appointment. I've never seen that woman a second late the entire time we were dating. Sadly, that's not the only thing he took from his mother. Her weak heart as well. When Charlie is upset or mad or annoyed, he tends to breathe harder. And Doctors told me that if his heart is stressed way above the normal, there's a chance it would just abruptly fail."

Cedric was in the middle of his story when Jenny shed a tear. She immediately put the pieces together, that it was because of their conversation in the train that night, was the reason why Cedric was late to pick up Charlie. Jenny felt sick. She knew if it wasn't for her, Cedric would’ve been on time and Charlie would not have been upset and probably would still be alive. Jenny was about to say something when Cedric said "Stop! Whatever it is you’re thinking or about to say, is one of the reasons why I never reached out to you again after that night. I didn't want you to think that our having a great time lit the chain of events that led to Charlie's death. That is not true! I was told by the instructor that he was already a bit agitated earlier in class by the piece that they were rehearsing. And yes I was late but that was just a few minutes. He actually didn't notice because he was preoccupied already. During dinner Charlie from out of nowhere, said he really don't know his Mother. And besides the pictures he has of her, he has no clue who she truly is. He wishes to have a Mom. And so I told him, that I had this great conversation with a woman earlier and I kinda like her. It is very, very early to say that things will progress but I think I will pursue her. Charlie suddenly flashed that cute smile of his and told me to go get her. "Go get me a Mom!", is his exact words. We chuckled for a while. But then he started gasping for air and I thought it was nothing. Didn't realized it was my last night with him."

Cedric paused. You can tell he still carries a heavy heart just talking about it. Jenny grabbed his arm. Her tears were slow but a lot more evident. Cedric was somewhat wailing but he continues.

"My world was shattered. I wanted to reach out oddly to only you for some reason and express my pain but that was unfair of me to do to someone I barely know. So I kept it to myself. I could not gather myself together after that and at one point wanted to take my life as well. Thank God I didn't. It took me over a year, maybe more, to get my bearings straight and luckily our Sales VP took me back in even after a long absence. But when I got back you were already gone. Nobody knew where you went."

Jenny looked at her watch. She needed to get going. She wiped her cheeks dry and told Cedric she had to leave. They walked to the train station sharing the umbrella in silence just like the first time. When they got there, Cedric said, "I'm going south." Jenny pointed to the other direction. They gave each other a tight hug after which Cedric showed his wedding ring. "Oh and I'm married now with two little ones! They're so gorgeous. I sure would love to have you meet them and my wife sometime. Yes?" Jenny awkwardly responded, "Sure!", as Cedric walks to the the other side of the station and vanishes into the crowd.

Jenny's phone rings and she answers, “Hi Pumpkin!”, as Fiber barks in the background. "Hey Mommy, are you coming home yet? Don’t tell Daddy that I told you but he is making your favorite for dinner — Ravioli! Hurry up I’m hungry. And Happy Anniversary to you and Daddy! Love you!!!" Jenny never had the chance to say anything else before her daughter hangs up. 

She smiles. Then she starts wondering, “How does Cedric not own an umbrella?”

You can stand under my umbrella!