“Mmm…no, I have a consultation with a Ms. Kepke at three,” she said, checking her appointment book, “and then another interview at five.”
Elly groaned. Ardelle had been amusing, but the whole hiring adventure had been a nightmare. She was at the point where she doubted she would find anyone that would work. It wasn’t just that the interviews had been a nightmare. Wedding season was now looming over her head – a violent storm hovering on the horizon. It was both fantastic and awful. Days that blended together into madness, endless phone calls and lots of bride meltdowns. Yes, Elly was both dreading and anticipating wedding season. To make matters worse, training a new worker to design up to Elly’s level took months. She shook her head.
“I know someone.” Snarky Teenager piped up, her thin frame hidden behind Kim’s shoulder.
“I have a friend named Romy - well, she likes to be called Rom, like the disc drive, because she’s really into technology - anyways, she is looking for a job, and she is, like, super creative…she has these paintings that are, like, her finger markings in chocolate, but it’s supposed to be blood.”
“Thanks,” snapped Elly, rubbing her temples, “that’s a huge help. She sounds GREAT.”
Kim gave Elly an apologetic smile and ushered Snarky Teenager into the back while she jabbered on about her friend. Elly allowed herself one more aggravated sigh and then started setting up for her consultation.
First, she put a tall glass vase of colored poppies onto the table and laid out dozens of wedding books, all with elegant covers showing million dollar weddings. Elly then laid out her consultation forms, calculators and pens. Down onto the table went a tiny dish with petite fours on it, bottled water and expensive crackers that no one ever ate. She turned on her stereo – a soothing mix of violin, piano and Celtic choral hymns – and settled into her chair.
Consultations were one of her favorite parts of the job. It was fascinating to see the different ideas and visions that brides had for their weddings, whether it was crafty, Asian-inspired, stripes, rustic or modern, the ideas always reflected the bride, and Elly loved being part of that picture. This, however, was a mother-of-the-bride coming in alone and those consultations were usually formal and tense, with the mother dictating every decision, and they usually ended up with flowers straight out of 1940. Elly grimaced. She heard footsteps coming up the patio. Baby’s breath, here we come, she thought. Her fingers drummed on the table anxiously.
The door opened and a beautiful older woman entered. Ashamed at the thought, Elly tried to quiet down the embarrassing voice in her head that screamed, “Be nice, this woman has MONEY.” But still, it was obvious. She had a sparkling tennis bracelet on her left wrist, and a diamond the size of a walnut on her right hand. Elly tried not to stare as its sharp clarity and emerald accents sparkled in the sun. The woman was stunning, and would have been so regardless of what jewelry she wore. She carried her elegance in her face. Her silver hair was pulled back loosely with a leather headband that matched the belt looped around her camel pantsuit. She glided across the floor, radiating light and ease.
“Hello. I’m Sunny Kepke.” She smiled brightly. Elly smiled back.
“It’s so nice to meet you. Please sit down. Help yourself to some water, petit fours or crackers.”
Sunny reached out and grabbed all three and handed a cracker to Cadbury, who had planted his head on her knee. Elly immediately liked her.
“Well, let me tell you a little bit about Posies. We are a private florist. We cater to our client’s personality and style. It’s all about what you want, and not what we decide. We use the freshest flowers from all over the world, and we are known for our garden arrangements, but can do any style you desire. Our clients...”
Sunny put her hand lightly on Elly’s arm. “No need for the speech, dear. I know your flowers well. My best girlfriend, Meghan Bamber, sends me bouquets from you all the time.”
Elly knew Meghan. She was a sweet older lady who was one of their best clients.
Sunny continued, “I already know I want to book you for my daughter’s wedding. So, can we go from there?” She wiped the crumbs from her hand. Elly wanted to kiss this woman. “I will give you the basics and let you worry about the rest.”
Elly nodded, and began taking furious notes.
“My daughter’s wedding is at the Hotel La Vie on November 20th. We are having approximately 250 guests. The ceremony will be in the hotel courtyard and the reception in their Amelia ballroom. Our colors are seashell, metallic buttercup with pale canary accents and a hint of thulian.”
Elly wrote down “white, gold, pale yellow, pink.”