“Please don’t hit anyone with a broom.”
Ardelle frowned. “I won’t. That was just ze one woman, and she – how do you say – deserved it? She was only a cleaning person, so technically, it didn’t count.” She walked into the back. Snarky Teenager pointed her finger at Elly and mouthed “RAISE.” Elly groaned and headed to her own design table.
There was a small area, maybe five feet across, that was Elly’s own space. All around her, flowers crowded every inch of room. It felt like being under a breathing canopy – roses, orchids and garden flowers basked in the sunlight. Bright mimosa hung down from above, alighting on their branch like tiny yellow fairies. The corners of the store were filled with different types of twisty branches – cedar, dogwood, and curly willow. Next to Elly on the counter were tall grey buckets, holding all the flowers for the bouquets: calla lilies, white and pink peonies (flown in at 4 am that morning), creamy ranunculus, and blown garden roses. Immediately to her left were fluttery white and pale pink fringe parrott tulips and a pile of loose cattalayas, brushed in the middle with a fuchsia stripe.
Elly stood in front of the table, trying to breathe calmly and enter into her own peaceful mind-set. I can do this, she told herself. I will design these flowers not as if they are for Aaron’s new bride, but rather just that it is the most important wedding of my career. I will be centered and focused when I design this, and I will be filled with love and beauty. She opened her eyes. It wasn’t working. “Forget it,” she huffed. “I’ll just make it as pretty as possible.”
She began with the bridesmaids’ bouquets, lush and full, filled with pale pink peonies, huge white garden roses, unabashedly showing their pollen to the world, and canary yellow orchids. Around each one, she wrapped tiny twigs covered with cherry blossoms, their bright pink in sharp contrast against the white buds. Dark green magnolia leaves rounded the bottom, filling in any tiny holes in the bouquet and giving it an air of drama. She topped each one with an antique lace wrap, accented by white pearls. The result was an ambrosial delight, a lavish garden you could hold in your hands. Elly had just completed the tenth bouquet when she heard the front door chime.
“Hey, babe,” said a deep male voice. Elly ducked behind a bucket of freesia. Isaac? Please no. She had still not overcome the embarrassment of him buying her lingerie. She peeked her head around the corner. Sean, Kim’s handsome husband, stood at the front of the store, one arm wrapped around Kim and the other around a pile of pizza boxes. It’s a shame he’s married, thought Elly, the man brings pizza. She emerged out of her flower jungle, arms wide open.
“Sean!” she cried, giving him a friendly hug, “Thanks for lunch! Kim, you have an amazing husband.” She opened the box and helped herself to a large slice of cheese, not bothering to get a plate. Unlike with Isaac, she had no problem eating like a caveman in front of Sean. Kim’s face glowed as Sean kissed her hand.
“How are you feeling today? Any contractions? Are your hips sore?” He looked accusingly at Elly. “I can’t believe you have her working today.”
Elly felt a flush rise up on her face. “I told her she didn’t have to…”
Kim scoffed. “If I left, this whole place would fall down. I’ve been fielding calls from vendors all day – did you know that the caterers aren’t planning on having the linens down until 2 pm?” she growled. “What’s wrong with people?” Elly grabbed her second slice of pizza and tucked a soda under her arm and headed back to her table.
“You’re ruining my design buzz. I’ll go tell the other ladies that lunch is here. Bye Sean, I owe you one.”
“You sure do.”
Elly snuck a look over her shoulder, and saw Sean give Kim a passionate kiss, one hand pressed against her very pregnant belly. She turned away and felt a familiar twinge in her heart.
The back room looked like someone had blown up a greenhouse. Stems and leaves were ankle deep, and Ardelle and Snarky Teenager were working furiously away, sticking white orchids into wet floral foam and making sure they fit into the candelabras. Ardelle’s normally pristine face was damp with sweat and she had some berries in her hair. Elly swallowed a laugh.
“Hey, Sean brought pizza and cold drinks.”
Snarky Teenager threw down an orchid. “THANK YOU,” she snapped and stalked out of the room.
Ardelle smiled simpering at Elly. “I’m surprised, the young madam is actually quite good. Not like me, not in ze ethereal sense, but she has some flair for design.”