Are You Listening, Robert?, or The Gift of Friendship (On a Friday Afternoon, No Less)

“I hate Valentine’s Day!”

Jerry looks at his phone. “Who is this? It says ‘Robert,’ but that can’t be right. See, I just saw Robert yesterday, and he was going on and on about how much he adored the woman he’s been seeing. Said they were made for each other.”

“I do, I do! We are! That’s the problem,” says Robert.

“You lost me,” says Jerry. “And it’s Friday afternoon. I’m due at a meeting in less than five. That gives you two minutes to get to the point and one minute for me to respond. Go.”

“Okay,” says Robert. “You probably won’t understand—“

“The clock is ticking.“

“—because you seem never to have had a problem picking out a gift.”

If he only knew, Jerry thinks, but he says, “Right. So what’s your point?”

“I’m afraid I’ll blow it! Linda won’t like the gift, and she’ll think I’m not the guy she thought I was.”

“Well, you’re not, Robert,” says Jerry. “You’re on your best behavior. But good news! So is she. Now, in your remaining 20 seconds, I will answer your implied question, which is: ‘How do I pick out the perfect gift?’”

“Exactly!”

“Simple. You get off the phone with me and call Laynie at San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. 415/796-3969. Oh, and I just sent you something to read. You’re welcome.” http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2014/04/hard-to-shop-for-not-any-more_27.html

“I will! I promise. Thanks!”

Jerry actually has another half-hour before his meeting starts, but Robert can go on, so we’ll keep that between us. Now: Will Robert read the article? Will he use his newfound knowledge to find wonderful gifts, every time? Stay tuned.