Have you ever accepted a gift from an ex or given one? A month ago, this question would have never popped up for me. A few days ago either. Because of an incident at work yesterday, it got me thinking. Maybe it’s a bad idea to accept a gift from someone…

One of the test guys came over to my desk to ask me some questions. While I was talking, I realized that he was paying absolutely no attention to me. He was staring at my hand. See on the ring finger of my left hand was a beautiful gold ring with diamonds and yellow sapphires. Around my neck was a matching necklace. G asked me if I had gotten engaged over Christmas, since he had been away for the last 3 or 4 weeks. “No, I didn’t get engaged! Are you crazy? This is just the finger that the ring fits on.” From 2 cubes over “What, SP, you got engaged?” Me a little louder “No, this is just the finger the ring fits on!” Out of my boss’ office, “Sherie, When are you getting married?” Me, “NOOOOO!!!!!!” Commentary from G, “She is wearing a ring on her ring finger. In my country that means you are engaged!” From the middle of the room, accompanied by a giggle “Ask her who she got it from!” What! You gotta be kidding me! See all of the women knew where the new jewelry came from since they were all here the week after Christmas. Then from the corner “I heard she’s pregnant.” From the other side of the room “You are getting married and your pregnant? Who’s the guy” “Is it that guy you were going to go away with?” “Someone you met in Seattle?” “Does this mean Will is back in the picture?” All the while I’m just saying “No. No. No. This is just the finger the ring fits on. I’m not pregnant. I didn’t meet anyone in Seattle. Will hasn’t been in the picture since last spring, people. Get over it!” Why is it that when they want something or are just being nosey, they suddenly remember everyone you’ve ever had coffee with in the last 2 years? And I don’t tell them these things, mind you. I sit in a large room with 16 people in it and there is no such thing as privacy. For anyone that asks me why I don’t say much when I’m at work or why I sound so busy, I’m just trying not to have my business spread all over the office!

So, you want the real story? It was an unexpected Christmas gift from an ex. I just got a package in the mail one day. In it was the jewelry with no note or anything. Needless to say I was shocked. So I called him. “What the hell is this?” See, this isn’t a recent ex. Not even someone who lives in FLA. And no, I didn’t “do” anything to deserve it. I haven’t seen this ex in years, let alone have done something to deserve it. His answer was, “I saw it at the store and I just thought of you. I wanted to let you know how much you meant to me and how much I cared about you. You were always so good to me and my family.” Of course my first instinct is to march right back to the post office and return it. A gift like this doesn’t come without some sort of stings. In the back of my head, I’m thinking “That can’t be it? What does he want?” He said there were not stings attached. No hidden motives. Nothing was expected. He just really wanted me to have them. I’m on the phone. I’m looking at the jewelry. I’m thinking… thinking… thinking… they are so shiny and pretty… thinking ... thinking… thinking… no expectations? Thinking… thinking… thinking… yeah, I’m keeping them.

So, now I have some really nice jewelry to add to my collection and some co-workers that won’t get off my ass about it. Shelly even got threatened with her yearly evaluation to tell everything she knew! Life is sure going to be boring when I get away from this place.