Lisa Denton, a friend, co-worker and editor of the Life section, appeared at my cubicle last week with a postal package in her hands.
“I’m supposed to present you this,” she said, grinning and handing me the package with both hands as if it were a bowl of sugar cubes on a Downton Abbey tea service.
“What is it?” I asked. “Is it something bad?” (Always the optimist, I am.)
“No, it’s nothing bad,” she said. “I know what it is, but I can’t tell you. I think you’ll like it, actually. Just open it.”
“Hmm,” I thought, taking the tape off the package. “This is strange.”