Page 9 of Sweet Love From Saturn

“My daughter goes to the daycare. Becka has been the person informing me about everything there is to know. From which meat markets to go to down to who to call when I’m having plumbing issues” she said with a laugh.

Becka’s mother and mine had been close friends since I was in the third grade. There was no bad blood between me and Becka, but I felt like we weren’t as close as we should be.

“That sounds just like her. Becka is one of those people who is long winded. Once you get her going, she can go on and on. But come to my office so we can have a seat,” I stated as I led us to the back.

Once Sapphire was seated in the chair across from me, I got right down to business. The shop opened at ten and I needed to finish setting up.

“So why a flower shop? Have you ever worked in one before?”

“Yes, I have. It’s been a few years, but I’m familiar with all the basics. I haven’t had many jobs, but working in a flower shop was the job I enjoyed the most.”

“Oh wow,” I stated in shock.

If I were being honest, I hadn’t expected her to have any experience with flowers. I assumed she wanted the job to provide or have something to do to pass the time. Hiring someone who knew what they were dealing with would be a weight lifted off my shoulders.

“Yep. My freshman year of college I got a job at this shop right off campus. Miss Betty taught me everything I know. She even taught me how to make my own candles. I had that job until I graduated and moved back home. I got my degree in dental hygiene and worked as a hygienist for a while, but it wasn’t fulfilling. It was customer service, but it didn’t feel impactful,” she vented.

“I can understand that. What type of hours are you looking for?”

“Full-time if you have it available. The daycare closes at six-thirty, so that should be just enough time for me to get over there.”

“Perfect. I’m assuming you have a driver’s license. Deliveries are a big part of the position I need filled.”

“Yes, ma’am. Can I ask what the hourly rate is?”

For another few minutes, Sapphire and I went back and forth about pay and her hours. Once we came to an agreement, it was decided that she’d start on Monday. After walking her to the front entrance, we said our parting words before I continued to open the shop. Wednesdays were slow for me, so I planned to take advantage of my downtime. Inventory and supply lists were my priority for today. I was in the middle of rearranging incense when the bell chimed.

“Hey, sister,” Tiffany greeted as she walked behind the counter with her purse in hand.

“Hey, Tiff. Are you here to get flowers or something? I didn’t see any messages from you about stopping by,” I explained as I took my phone out of my pocket.

“I didn’t call. I only had one client today, so I figured I’d come down here to make sure you weren’t drowning in customers.”

With a hand over my heart, I playfully swooned at my sister with genuine appreciation. Whenever they could, my parents called or stopped by as well. They supported me and were proud that I kept the shop open, but they didn’t have much time to help operate it.

“Girl, don’t start. You know I help whenever I can. Anyway, have you talked to Aaron? He called me earlier, saying he was coming home soon.”

“I talked to him a few days ago, but he didn’t say anything about coming home,” I responded as I went back to separating incense.

Aaron was the oldest of us three. A week after he graduated high school, he informed my parents that he’d been accepted into the Navy and would be leaving before the summer was over. I still remembered how hurt and upset my parents were. They were disappointed that he hadn’t come to them about it and my mother had even spoken her piece about why she was against it. Her feelings were valid, but that didn’t change anything. Aaron lived in Arizona and hadn’t been home since my grandmother’s funeral.

“He said he’s been thinking about it for a while now.”

“Why does he need to think that hard about coming to visit? I’ve never understood that.”

“Because it won’t be to visit. He’s thinking about moving back. I guess shit didn’t work out between him and Dedra, so he’s thinking about coming back home.”

“I told him that shit wasn’t gonna work out anyway. She only wanted his money, but he didn’t see it,” I countered.

“He saw it. I think he just liked her a lot. But speaking of dating, Miss Kathy told me she saw you at Coffee King earlier with some man she’s never seen before.”

The candle I was holding slipped from my hand and fell to the floor at Tiffany’s statement.

“Shit,” I hissed before picking it up.

“Oh, this is serious,” Tiffany teased.

“It’s nothing serious. You just caught me off guard. And tell Miss Kathy to mind her business.”

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