Thank you, for listening

Chapter 21 : A Thoughtful Gift

The afternoon light filtered through the blinds of Lucy Chen's office, casting soft stripes across her desk. The room was a sanctuary of calm, adorned with plants that added a touch of life and vibrant artwork that inspired creativity. Yet, despite the serene environment, Lucy found her thoughts wandering, fixating on one particular subject: Tim.

It had been a few days since their last session, and Lucy couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to do something special for him. She had been reflecting on their conversations about his learning style, particularly his struggles with traditional methods of absorbing information. Tim's kinesthetic learning style fascinated her; it was a reminder of how unique each person's approach to learning could be.

As she sat at her desk, a thought struck her. She glanced at the booklist Tim had shared with her—the required readings for his promotion to Sergeant. One title stood out, a book she recognized: "Leadership in Crisis Situations." It was a classic, highly regarded in the field, but unfortunately, it was out of print. A pang of regret washed over her as she remembered how much she had loved that book and how she wished she could help him access it.

Then it hit her: she had a copy! A client had gifted it to her years ago, knowing her passion for law enforcement and leadership. Excitement bubbled up inside her. What if she recorded herself reading the book and sent it to him? It was unconventional, but it could be a valuable resource for him, especially since there was no audiobook available.

She pulled the book from her shelf, dusting it off gently before flipping through its pages. The familiar scent of aged paper filled her nostrils, transporting her back to the countless hours she had spent absorbed in its teachings. Lucy glanced at her phone, contemplating the best way to send the recording to Tim. She smiled at the thought of surprising him.

"Okay, let's do this," she said to herself, determination in her voice.

After setting up her phone, she found a quiet corner of her office and began recording. She spoke clearly, summarizing the key points and insights from each chapter, infusing her tone with warmth and enthusiasm. As she read, she imagined Tim listening to her voice, absorbing the knowledge that had once inspired her.

The process took some time, but eventually, she had a solid recording. Once she was satisfied with it, she sat back in her chair, her heart racing with excitement. This could mean a lot to him, she thought.

Lucy took a moment to gather her thoughts before sending the message. She typed out a casual text to Tim: "Hey babe, I have a gift for you!"

She hesitated for a moment, contemplating how he would react. Would he be surprised? Confused? She quickly shook off her nerves and pressed send, feeling a thrill at the prospect of his response.

Meanwhile, Tim had just finished his shift at the precinct, feeling a mixture of fatigue and satisfaction from a long day of work. He stepped into his car and pulled out his phone, noticing a message from Lucy.

"Hey babe, I have a gift for you!"

Tim raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You do?" he replied, curiosity piqued.

He had barely set his phone down when another notification chimed in. It was a voice recording from Lucy. With a smile creeping onto his face, he pressed play, eager to hear what she had in store for him.

"Hey, Tim! So, I know you're working on your reading list for the Sergeant promotion, and I realized I have a copy of 'Leadership in Crisis Situations'—but it's out of print," Lucy's voice came through, warm and inviting. "I recorded myself reading it for you since there's no audiobook available. I hope this helps you!"

Tim's brows furrowed in confusion as he listened. "Wait, what?" he muttered to himself, a mix of amusement and disbelief crossing his features.

He could hardly contain his laughter. Lucy had always been full of surprises, but this one took the cake. He felt his heart swell as he imagined her recording the reading, her voice echoing through his mind.