Page 10 of Damaged
Chapter Six
Eva
Arranging the daisies in the yellow vase, I put in a few sunflowers to add some color. Stepping back, I tilt my head, taking it in. It looks good, I just think something else needs to be added. “Tree fern,” I whisper, going to grab some of the soft greenery out of the back.
As I make my way back, I hear the bell above the door jingle. When I bought this florist shop a few years ago, I swore the first thing to go would be that bell. It was annoying. Now, though, I’m glad I never got around to taking it down. That sound means success to me. Each time I hear it, it’s the possibility of another sale.
“Eva, you’re back,” Mrs. Preston says.
Smiling, I walk out from behind the counter. She’s such a sweet, faithful customer. Every week since I opened, she’s come in and gotten an arrangement. Once I asked her what she does with them and placing her aging hand on mine, she smiled. Telling me that fresh flowers are the sign of a well kept home. They brighten the room and the mood of anyone who sees them. Not to mention they smell good. I’d never thought of it like that before, but ever since that day, I have a fresh arrangement of flowers on my table every week.
Carefully wrapping my arms around her, I smile. “Yes, I’m back Mrs. Preston,” I say before pulling back. “What are you looking for today?”
“Oh dear, I hope everything’s alright. I asked everyone where you had gone, but all they would tell me was it was personal,” she says, ignoring the fact I’m trying to change the subject.
“Everything is great. I’ve never been better. So, enough about me. Why don’t you tell me what beautiful flowers you’d like this week?”
Understanding that’s all she’s getting from me, we go about picking out flowers like we’ve done so many times before. After she leaves with a bouquet of wildflowers, I quickly make myself one. This will brighten up my house for sure.
“Eva, you’re back. How ya doing sweetheart?” Kathy asks. She’s another regular. A successful business woman, who comes in every so often to have flowers sent to herself at work. I’m not one to judge, I just do what the customer wants. Although, I have my theory. There is probably some hot guy that she is trying to make jealous.
Smiling, I grab my pad to write on. “I’m doing good, thanks. How are you?”
She knows. I can immediately see it in her eyes. They are looking at me like I’m some sad, emotionally wrecked kitten that has been kicked around. It’s why I don’t talk about it, because everyone gives me that look. I hate that look.
“I’m fine, but I’m worried about you. Are you sure you should be back to work already?”
Closing my eyes so briefly she doesn’t even notice, I nod. “I’m great, really. So how about you tell me what I’m sending this time?”
Getting through my first full day back by myself, makes me feel a sense of accomplishment. I proved to myself I could do it. Locking up, I cradle my flowers in my arm, and head toward my car. The drive home makes me realize how damn drained I am. I hadn’t noticed since I was so busy, but now that I’m sitting, it’s crashing around me.
Once I’m home, I drop everything on the counter, flowers included. Taking a quick shower, I figure it will help wake me up a bit. When I get out, I sit on my bed.
The sound of my phone ringing, makes me jump up. “Shit.”
I fell asleep. No, I passed out. Still wrapped in my towel, I rush out to the kitchen to get my phone. Grabbing it, I realize I’ve been asleep for nearly four hours and I’m still tired.
“Hello?”
“Shit, did I wake you?” Brett asks.
Clearing my throat, I tighten the towel around myself. “No. What’s up?”
“What are you crying or something?” he asks, definitely starting to feel uncomfortable.
I laugh, grabbing a water out of the fridge. “No, I’m definitely not crying. Seriously, what’s up?”
“Oh, I was thinking about this weekend. I think we should try that new bar. We’ve struck out every time at our normal spot, so let’s switch it up. What do you think?”
Tightening the towel, I sit down on the couch with my water. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I haven’t been the best wingman so far, and some of that is my fault. It was my idea to go say hi to Jana and Shawn.”
“Don’t give yourself so much credit. If I didn’t want to hang out with them, I wouldn’t have. They were cool. It was a fun night. Plus, you’ve saved me from some crazies. This weekend it’ll be different,” he says.
Once again I laugh. “You’re such an asshole,” I joke.
“Now that is definitely the truth,” he says, completely serious.
“Brett, I’m only kidding.”
