Page 18 of Slide
Bella looked over, stunned to find such a soft, tender smile on the always gruff man’s face. “Purple it is then.” She set the baby’s breath back in its place and took out a handful of purple limonium stems. She used the tiny lavender blooms for filler as much as baby’s breath, but liked the added pop of color better.
She also gathered purple daisies, pink and white carnations, and three white roses. “Would you like the flowers in a vase or for me to wrap them?”
“I, ah … I don’t know.”
“I’ll—”
“Bella? Why are you still here, dear?”
Bella’s heart plummeted. She swallowed and turned to look over her shoulder. “Hi, Mrs. Cleary. Mr. Martin came in as I was closing up,” she lied. “It’s his wife’s birthday and he needed flowers.”
“Gilbert?” Mrs. Cleary chastised. “You know what time my shop closes, Gladys’ birthday or not. You know my rules, too. If you don’t remember to come in earlier, you have to wait until tomorrow.”
Bella glanced up from the flower stems she was trimming for the vase arrangement. Mr. Martin fidgeted under the older woman’s unyielding stare. Bella sort of felt bad for the man.
“It’s my fault,” she interjected. “I told him I’d come up with something different and special for his wife this year.”
“Different than roses?” Mrs. Cleary repeated, skeptical. “I wasn’t aware Gladys had an opinion on flowers except that she receive them.”
Mr. Martin did nothing more than give a curt nod. He seemed unsure if he should stick around or flee the scene. Bella would’ve opted for fleeing herself, but then, Mrs. Cleary and Mr. Martin caught their collective breaths as she put the finishing touches on the arrangement.
Bella gave an imaginary fist pump.
“That’s exquisite, Bella. You have an incredible gift,” Mrs. Cleary praised.
“My wife will expect something like this every year now,” Mr. Martin grumped.
“Then you’d best get your standing order in early, Gilbert. We won’t be staying open for you next time. And this is going to cost you.”
“Actually,” Bella spoke up, wondering what in the hell was wrong with her when the next words left her mouth. “I wanted to take care of the cost.” Both people focused on her and she fought that fleeing urge again. “Please.”
“Whatever you said to this girl, Gilbert, you’d better apologize. That arrangement is worth at least a quarter of her paycheck.”
“I’m sorry I was rude, Arabella.”
Bella smiled. Mr. Martin’s eyes were full of chagrin and defiance. It was interesting to watch his face shift from one emotion to the other and back again. She knew how hard it was for some people to see her, and how much harder it was for them to be nice. She didn’t expect it to happen overnight, but maybe one day …
“Please wish Mrs. Martin a very happy birthday,” Bella said, handing over the vase of flowers.
“Thank you.” Mr. Martin nodded once in her direction and once in Mrs. Cleary’s, then departed the flower shop as though hell were hot on his heels.
“Now, young lady …” Mrs. Cleary started.
Bella turned and faced her boss. She’d broken the rules. It was the first time, her first infraction, but Mrs. Cleary wasn’t anyone to mess with. “You didn’t have to be as kind to Gilbert as you were, and you can’t let people know how easy it is to get to you.”
“I know, but he scares me,” Bella admitted, to which Mrs. Cleary laughed.
“He’s nothing more than bluster and that was a very sweet thing you did. He won’t soon forget it, but he’ll be confused by your motives for a long while. It’ll do him good though. He’s used to getting his way, but he’s not used to getting out of having to pay for it.”
“I was happy to do it. It was the least I could do. I know Artie pretty well drained the Martins’ savings.”
“Your brother is a scoundrel. Always was. It’s not your job to make up for his mistakes.”
“Someone has to do it.”
“Your parents would’ve been proud of you for trying, but it isn’t your responsibility. But … It has helped me come to a decision about something I should’ve told you back when you came to me looking for a job.”
“Told me? About what? Did Artie do something else?” Bella couldn’t imagine what more her brother could’ve done, but her stomach churned the way it always did when he came up in conversation.
