Page 95 of Accidentally in Bloom

“No time. I’ll text him to listen to the podcast.” Rose hoped he’d be happy, and if he wasn’t…well, they’d handle it together. Rose whipped out her phone.

Rose

No time to talk – but I have news. Listen to the podcast? :heart emoji:

Gray

Bertha, you’re killing me. But of course, I’ll listen.

Rose sent him the link to the livestream.

“What are we gonna do?” Lily said, looking at both of them. “We have arrangements in the shop wilting as we speak.”

“I'm hoping for a miracle for now,” Rose said as she threw on her headphones, sat on the cozy bed covered in her family’s handmade quilts, and nodded to her co-host.

Rose dove in once they were live “Hey, all. Thank you so much for joining us for this emergency session of the podcast. I have so much to tell you,” she said, getting serious, “and a big confession. I'm so embarrassed about it, but I need to be honest.”

Dread filled her body as she prepared to be, ugh, vulnerable. Her stupid fight-or-flight response gripped her, and she breathed through it.

“I told you I relaunched our family flower shop because I wanted to be an entrepreneur. What I didn't tell you is that it's because I failed first. I got fired from my full-time job before coming back to my hometown.” She willed her eyes not to look at the comment box so she didn’t lose her nerve.

“When I lost my job, I was so embarrassed. My sisters and I started the business to pay off a family debt. I never shared this, but my father passed a few months ago.” Unexpected emotion clutched at her throat. She cleared it to keep going. “I hope you'll forgive me for lying by omission. I should’ve been honest and not continued the narrative that women have to be perfect to be valuable. And know that if you've ever been let go or fired, it doesn't mean you're not a boss; it just means that wasn't the right path for you.

“I think I’ve found the right path because I’ve never been happier working alongside my sisters and my,” she took a gulp, “boyfriend, I guess?”

She saw chat comments coming in from the hundred or so listeners who were tuned into the livestream. Many comments were about how they’d been fired at one point and how it led to better things.

“Launching a business has been so hard, but it’s made me better. I’ve found my passion, working with people I love in a community that is part of my DNA. I want to spend the next twenty-three years of my life making it the best it possibly can be.

“And I’ve learned,” she took a breath, “I was wrong about so much of what I told you. It's not just about making money; turning a profit as quickly as possible. The best part of all our work is spending time with people who matter to you, doing things you love.” Rose saw her two BFFs for life leaning against her dresser.

“You guys want to come say hi?”

Violet’s eyes widened, and her head shook “no” as Lily raced toward Rose.

“Oh c’mon, Vi!” Lily pleaded, reaching out a hand to Violet’s arm. Lily popped into screen and waved. “Hi, guys!” she said way too loudly.

“Oh my god, they’re not on Mars,” Rose said, rubbing her ears under her headphones. A series of laughing emojis came across Rose’s screen. “This is Lily, and…come on,” she said, nodding at Vi. “...this is a very shy Violet.” Violet peeked her head out for a minute and then popped back off-screen.

“Our late father couldn’t pay his back taxes, and a debt collector is threatening to close down our cozy little flower shop. I have no business asking for your help after I wasn't honest with you, but I don't have anywhere else to turn. If you were in my position, how would you raise one hundred thousand dollars in the next twenty-four hours?”

Angela popped in, “Brittany from Rochester wants to hop in.”

Rose braced herself for a negative onslaught.

“I’ve been there,” Brittany said. “I was fired last year, and it was fucking brutal. Just wanted to say it’s nothing to be ashamed of; we’ve all been there.”

A chorus of support came through the chat, and Rose felt some part of her finally relax after all these months. With her launching the podcast, building her brand, and somehow feeling like if she wasn’t perfect, it would all fizzle away. Sure, she’d probably lose some subscribers, but it felt so good to just be herself for once.

Angela put another caller through.

“Hey, boss besties!” a quirky voice popped into the broadcast. “So, I don’t know if this is helpful, but in my new candle business, I needed to raise money for supplies, so I took orders ahead of time and then delivered them later. Anyway, good luck, Rose! We still believe in you!”

“Oh my gosh, that's exactly it. You’re a genius. Angela, can you wrap up the session? I owe you one. I’ve got to go. You guys are the best boss besties a girl could ever have!” A chorus of good lucks rang out in the chat, and she slammed down her laptop.

“Lily, I need you to sketch the most beautiful flower arrangements for every holiday you can think of. Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Earth Day, whatever you can think of. Vi, I need you to text Mrs. Maroo and say there will be an event outside of Bloom this evening that is absolutely VIP only. Secret.”

“So she’ll tell everyone? Got it.” Violet started tapping away on her phone, sending messages.

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