Welp, here we go with the kind of mystery I hate. One without any closure! Don't you hate it when you watch a documentary or read a mystery book that leaves you with a cliffhanger? Like, zero notes on who committed the crime or who turned in the culprit? Well that's pretty much how I felt when I got that mysterious note from reception. "Hey Lindsey, we have a delivery for you up front. Can you come grab it?"
The Chocolate Crime:
It was the first day back to work after the long Thanksgiving weekend. My first thought when I got that message was: "Wait, really? For me?" From time to time, our customers would accidentally throw my name on an escalated return, in hopes of getting a few dollars back on their order. Typically, I would take a picture and send it to our returns team or walk it out to the warehouse myself. This way they could put the item back in stock. But this was no return. As I walked up front, I wondered, was it flowers? Was it a gift from my last branch? Who would send me anything, especially when I had been home this weekend?
It felt light. As if it had been packed with only feathers. That kraft-colored cardboard box gave only one clue at first glance: bold red lettering down the side that read: "Macy's." Yeah, definitely not a work-related item. The fresh white label listed my name, work address, and a return address of Macy's Fulfillment Center Owasso, OK. Even more puzzled, I carefully slid my ez-glide box cutter through the fiberglass tape, feeling the satisfying resistance as I pried open the flaps. No note, no message, no other return address. Just a Harry & David, cellophane-wrapped chocolate gift basket. The tag was there but empty, without any explanation. What the heck?
The Suspect List:
I swear I looked at that label ten times. Expecting some explanation to pop out like it had been there all along. Unfortunately, my curiosity was not satisfied that easily. I do like a good problem to solve, so I thought maybe I could figure this out. Like any good mystery, I start with a list of suspects. Was it my boyfriend back home? My parents? Siblings? My best friend? One by one I text them, "Hey, did you happen to send me something at work?" And one by one they slowly respond "Uh...no?" This, of course, required me to explain what I received. I even went so far as to ask my direct reports. "Just to check, this isn't from you right?"Again, I was met with curiosity as they each voiced a no. And to be clear, these weren't the "no it wasn't me but yet glimmer of I know who it was" or possibly it really was me. These were as confused, totally not them "no." I ended up calling my boyfriend back home to make sure he wasn't pulling my leg. When he pointed out one specific note. "Who would send you milk chocolate?" And boy he was right. My friends and family would have sent me Dark Chocolate! Who is this mystery person?
The Investigation:
I don't know if you have ever tried to call Door Dash or Macy's for additional information on a mystery order. But if not and you need to, let me save you some time. Don't bother. Now, trust me, this isn't anything against them. They are doing their job. But for us curious folk, it drove me crazy. Door Dash was the most difficult. From the first person telling me to stop questioning it and enjoy the chocolate, to being transferred 4 times, each with a promise the next representative would be able to assist me. Macy's the representative was actually pretty helpful. While they weren't able to provide any additional information, they were kind and understanding of my predicament. You see where I come from, we don't eat things that we don't know why or who sent it. And since there wasn't any explanation, the evidence has been put on hold until this case can become solved. I've spent minutes analyzing the box, the gift basket, and those in my life that could have possibly sent it and I have come up short each time. Seriously I considered putting together a bulletin board with that red string to help!
The Case Runs Cold:
Well as I pack up my investigation work for this case, I've decided to let the file run cold. The truth is sometimes you have to let the mystery be a mystery. It will be filed away with the stack of paperwork yet to be completed. Who knows, maybe someday I will find out who sent me this. At the end of the day, while it may perplex me, it's something I can laugh about and enjoy the mix of suspicion and cheer. I think it goes to show, that even the smallest of event's may add a bit of whimsy and adventure to your day. And to everyone else, have you ever received a gift with no sender? If so, did you solve the mystery, or let the case run cold like mine? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time, stay curious and lets wander - after coffee of course.
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