The Man Who Never Speaks

4. The Elephants

"Pulled the car off the road to the lookout
Could've followed my fears all the way down
And maybe I don't quite know what to say
But I'm here in your doorway"
————

After Alice had send him the present for his garden, she figured that this time that would really be the end of it. Bringing him that gift, wasn't an underlying motive of her wanting to proceed their blossoming friendship, especially not after what had happened when she went to confront him. His signs had been clear.

She had tried to make amends, which had given her enough peace with the situation. Deep down a part of her had still hoped that it would have grown into a friendship, but since FP wasn't open to anything like that she decided to accept his wishes. Besides, she was getting closer to Mary now, maybe that was enough.

But when she walked into her office a few days later, she noticed a big bouquet of flowers in the middle of her desk. Her receptionist probably placed them there before she came in.

Since she didn't know that many people in town that could possibly send her such a thoughtful gift, she assumed that it would have been either Mary or Tom, just to cheer her up. Or could it be...?

Alice walked over to the other side of the desk and noticed the small note in between the flowers-- one in a very specific color that she instantly recognized by now. Her name was written in FP's signature handwriting.

I'm so sorry for snapping at you. You were right. We're friends, Alice. I hope you can forgive me.

— FP

Alice's eyes started to twinkle when she saw his sweet note. They were friends. Things were fine between them and she hoped it meant that she could still write him, if he wasn't ready for her to stop by.

She had no idea how soon he would change his mind again, but that he had taken the time to pick out such a beautiful collection of flowers and let it be delivered to her office meant more than anyone would understand. To others, it could look like an easy solution, but the flowers told her that he was thinking of her and genuinely felt sorry about what had gone down between them.

It didn't matter what would be happening today, nothing could ruin her perfect mood. Since she was so lost in thought she hadn't heard Sheriff Keller coming into her office, whom she had her first meeting with that day.

"Secret admirer?" Tom teased her, when he noticed her smiling at a note in her hand and the enormous bouquet in front of her.

"It's from a friend." Alice grinned happily, as she placed the note aside and made some room for Tom to join her.

It was another morning of looking over the Jingle Jangle case. She had come to dread these meetings, not because she didn't like to be around Tom, but because every time they seemed to be having a lead, it turned out to be a dead end. However, today she felt like she could take on the whole world.

"Well, looks like they did good. It got you smiling." He elbowed her a little playfully.

It didn't happen often that he had seen Alice this happy early in the morning. It was nice to see this side of her for a change.

"It definitely does." She putted the vase a little bit more to the side of her desk, still wanting to have it close to look at it for as long as she could.

"Can I ask you a question about the Jingle Jangle case?" Tom got straight to the point, as he had a favor to ask her.

"Sure, hit me." Alice turned into a full concentration mode, ready to start the day.