by Lyz Kelley
Tension rolled like a ball of string across the tiled floor, getting more tangled as it went.
“That’s just the thing.” Mara hugged her coat to her chest. “Anna almost made the squad. I sat on the judging panel, and you were one slot away from making the team. You should have tried again your sophomore year.”
“My point.” Kym pushed her agenda again.
“Kym,” Mara warned, “I’m sure Anna knows anything can be achieved with practice. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is easy for me. In school, I felt like a dork half the time.”
“You were a dork, but we all loved you anyway.”
“Speak for yourself.” Mara laughed, then Kym joined in, followed closely by Anna. Mara loved the expanding harmonic sound, because it had a thread of forgiveness, provided a sense of peace, and began to bind the women together.
“My friends call me a dork all the time. We’re more alike than I thought,” Anna admitted.
The way Anna’s explanation crumpled together almost as a single word made Mara suspect admitting the similarities must have been excruciating. The tension again expanded, and Mara contemplated ways to calm Anna’s uneasiness.
“I should get back to sorting out the mess in the back. I can’t believe all my vases arrived broken.”
“Can I help?” Anna offered.
“I have an idea.” Kym’s nasally tone grew tight. “Why don’t you two go check the order, while I put away all this food. All of the vases can’t be broken.”
“If they are, maybe Anna will want them. Are you still doing those fun mosaics?”
“How did you remember?”
“Are you kidding? Your artwork is amazing. Maybe you can use the broken pieces on new projects. The shipper certainly won’t want them back. If you’re willing, I can sell your art in the store. We just need to keep the items small because space is limited. A little extra cash never hurts.”
“Really? That would be great.” The excitement in Anna’s voice generated a warm, buzzy elation. “I’ve been looking for a part-time job, but employment in college towns is hard to find.”
“You could do some sample pieces to see how they sell before fully committing.”
“Yolo, right?”
That’s right. You only live once.
Anna’s enthusiasm was contagious.
“What are you going to do when you graduate this spring?” Mara asked. “Business, right?”
“Entrepreneurial business design, actually.”
The reluctance in Anna’s voice made her wish she hadn’t been so nosy. “Don’t you hate those vexing questions? I do. After I found out I wouldn’t get my eyesight back, people kept pushing to discover what was next. I never knew the answer. The way I figured it, I didn’t have a choice but to take one day at a time.”
“I don’t mind you asking. It’s just no one knows. I got a call and accepted a job in Denver this morning.”
“That sounds wonderful.” Mara took a step closer. “But somehow I don’t think you’re excited about it.”
“No, I am. It’s with one of the biggest marketing firms in town.”
“But…?”
“But I know my parents want me to come home and help with the restaurant.”
Parental expectations. Joey seemed to have a similar problem. Mara perceived her parents had a list full of expectations. College, a job at a big CPA firm, marriage, grandkids. She envisioned her mom and dad designing her destiny and putting her life into a perfect picture frame. Too bad the frame was shattered before the picture was completed.
“Are you sure that’s what your parents want? Sometimes, a conversation is needed just to be sure we know what’s-what.”
“You might be right about perceptions and conversations. I should talk to them. My starting salary is great. I’ll be able to pay off my student loans faster because the last thing I want is debt hanging over my head.”
“That’s the right attitude. Maybe I’ll even hire you to figure out how to make my business run more efficiently.”
Anna fell silent again, and provided a reason for Mara to open that invisible door a bit wider. “Or if you have ideas now, I would love to hear them.”
For the next ten minutes, Anna rattled off a number of articulated ideas, each one better than the last, about managing the inventory and catering to commercial clients rather than just the public.
“I don’t know, Anna.”
“What’s not to know? Anna’s ideas are amazing.” Kym said on her way down the back stairs. “I mean really, amazing.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. Ideas like these are exactly what could help make this business sing.”
Every time Gina, Tony or Kym mentioned a new idea Mara squirmed. Maybe it’s me, and my insecurities that are preventing this business from being profitable.
Anna’s sudden insight hurt. “Hearing your great advice makes me realize I don’t have all the skills I need to run a successful business. My mom ran this shop as a hobby, and to get out of the house while my dad worked. The business wasn’t set up as a moneymaker, but we have to make a profit. This business is all Tony and I have. We have to make this work.”
“Have you considered doing something else?”
Something else? “Like what?”
“Really?” Kym piped in. “How about accepting Jake’s offer to sing, or Karly’s offer to train dogs? You can do anything if you practice.”
Oh, she so wanted to stick her tongue out at Kym, but managed to control the urge.
Doing something different had crossed her mind, but her blindness created limitations. Singing and songwriting had come to mind, but she was no Taylor Swift.
“I’ve worked in this shop since junior high, and even before then. Arranging flowers is what I know. After the accident, learning to walk the streets of Elkridge took me almost a year. Even though I’ve lived here all my life except for the semester I went to college, I had to learn how to get around, how to do the basics. When you can’t see, life limits your options. So I’m determined to make this business work.”
Anna’s hand landed on her forearm. “You can do it. You make fabulous arrangements.”
“It’s not hard. You just have to know the configurations.”
“Seems hard.”
Mara noted the apprehension again, and figured maybe a demonstration might help. “You know, Anna, if you focus your mind on your goals, you can do just about anything. Let me show you.” She stood and pulled some supplies off the shelves. “Can you hand me one of those vases?”
Cold glass touched her outstretched hand, and she closed her fingers around the object. “Ah, this is one of the smaller, shallow pots. So we’re going to use a one-three-five configuration. See those buckets of flowers over there? I want you to pick out one snapdragon bunch, three mums or daisies, and five stems of greens that are in the smaller buckets, and bring them to me. There are labels with the flower names on the side of the buckets to guide you.”
Mara listened to the hesitant footsteps while she centered the bowl on the worktable and prepared the jar with water-soaked floral foam, securing the green circle with floral tape to the bottom of the jar, then placed fresh moss on top, tucking the greenery into the sides.
“Here you go.”
Mara accepted the flowers from Anna and spread them on the countertop. “Great. Now I’ll show you the secret to making great arrangements.” She felt the flower stems, selecting the thickest one. “Take your snapdragon, and freshen the stalk by cutting off the end at an angle. This will help the flower absorb water. Place the single stem in the center, like this.” She pushed the stem gently into the foam. “Do the same with your next three flowers, placing them at two, six and ten o’clock.” Using touch, she selected a stalk of mums and placed the separate bunches. “Then take your five greenery stems, placing them at one, three, five, seven, and nine o’clock. Voila! You have an arrangement. Just water using a flower nutrient additive, and your flowers should last a wee
k or more.”
“You make flower arranging look so easy.”
“You make business management sound easy. All I have to do is remember to let the flowers do the work.” It’s websites and social media and business plans that give me the hives. “Take the flowers home, Anna. Enjoy them.”
The small, thrilled gasp made Mara gather her caution flags and put them away.
“You know, I’ve been in a panic.” Anna admitted. “Next Monday, I have to turn in an idea for my senior cornerstone project. Every senior has to pick a business and write a paper on how we would improve business operations. My friends started their papers weeks ago. So far, I haven’t been able to think of anything other than my parent’s restaurant. Which would be stick-a-finger-down-my-throat boring.”
The passion tumbling out paused briefly. Then, hesitantly, Anna asked, “Would you be willing to collaborate on my paper? I don’t know the flower industry, but I’m willing to learn, and like you said, I already have some ideas we could work on together. I could use the school library to review market statistics and demographics.”
Mara silently groaned. “I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”
Kym nudged her in the side. “Yes you would. Take her offer. She has some great ideas, and it’s a win-win for you and her.”
“Well, if you wouldn’t mind.” Mara worked to ease the apprehension building.
“Mind? This is going to be great. I’m going home right now to start the research. I’ve got so many ideas.”
“Oh…okay.” The click of excited footsteps followed by the front doorbell ringing made her wonder what she just had agreed to. Mara stood in the middle of her shop perplexed.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” The smugness in Kym’s voice she could also do without today.
“What are you up to, Kym Zhang.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” The sweetness in her friend’s voice made her brace for impact. “I bet Anna will come up with some good ideas so you don’t have to work so hard. You could have the time to train dogs, which you love. Or, sing. Imagine that. A fulfilling life. Seeing my best friend happy, a spectacular thought.”
“I’m happy.”
“As a rock.”
“Why are you here? Don’t you have customers or something?”
“I’m here because you’re in love with Joey and he got on an airplane today. So I came to make sure you were all right. I didn’t expect miss fancy pants to stop by, but turns out a Gaccione had already crashed your pity-party. Come on. Admit it.”
“I wasn’t feeling sorry for myself.”
The tinkle of broken glass made her turn. “Careful. Don’t cut yourself.”
“Don’t change the subject. You were nose deep in self-pity, but it’s okay if you don’t want to admit it. How about I unpack. You stack. What do you say?”
“I guess I say, thank you.” Mara held out her arms. “Come here you. I need a hug.”
“See, told you. No pity-parties without including me, because I give great hugs.” Kym wrapped her arms around Mara’s shoulders.
After a few seconds Mara pulled back. “Do you think Joey will ever come back for a visit?”
“I certainly wouldn’t hold my breath. It took him ten years to come back the first time.”
“You’re right. I thought for sure he’d stay in Elkridge.”
“You’ve got a business to run. You have no time to think about men.”
Kym was right.
She needed to move on.
Now if she could just get her heart to oblige.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Let’s not talk about this during Gina’s baby shower.” Mara turned her back on Tony, and headed to the kitchen to find Kym and the party supplies.
The air smelled sickly sweet with a bitter undertone. If she ate one more cupcake, cake pop, or drank one more cup of coffee, Kym might need to pull her down from the ceiling. The sound of Tony’s footsteps following her a bit too closely made her skin tighten.
“If not now, when?”
How about never?
“What’s up with you two?” The snippy in Kym’s question made Mara pause. “You’ve been at each other all day.”
“I just don’t want to talk finances. I understand the pizza shop is closing, and that means Gina’s out of a job. But can we not talk business for just one day?”
“I’m talking survival here. How do you think Gina and I are going to be able to pay a mortgage, put food on the table and raise a baby on my income?” Tony challenged.
First you could eat at home more. “I’ve been thinking about that, so I’ve—”
“How about we let Gina come to work at the flower shop. We could set up a crib in the back room, and she could help you with the store. That way you wouldn’t be in the store alone anymore.”
And, you wouldn’t worry so much. The overload of caffeine and sugar made her stomach ache. “We were barely making it on three incomes. How do you suggest we make it on less?”
“Well….”
“Why don’t you tell him about Anna’s plan?” Kym interrupted. “She had some good ideas.”
“Anna? Who’s Anna,” Tony asked.
“Joey’s sister. The one who’s getting her business degree.” Mara pushed the plate of extra cupcakes aside and went in search of the party supplies.
“The one who said all those nasty things about you? And don’t scrunch your face at me. That little snot should get her butt kicked.”
“How did you hear…never mind. This town is way, way, way too small.” Mara sighed, wishing Tony didn’t solve all his problems with anger and reached forward finding the bags she and Kym prepared for the party. “Anna came to apologize, and, while she was here, she offered to put together a business plan for us. Tony, I wish you would give people more of a chance. She sounded like she really was sorry…didn’t she Kym.”
“She did.” Kym took the bags from her hand. “Let me help.”
“So are you going to tell me about Anna’s plan, or not?”
“Actually, no. I have a different idea.” Mara folded her arms across her stomach fisting her hands to hold in the jitters zinging though her arms and chest. “What if I turn Blooms over to you and Gina to run? Both of you have good ideas and want to expand, but I’ve been reluctant to make the necessary changes because I’ve been afraid.”
“Afraid. I’ve never known you to be scared of anything.” Tony took a step closer, his hand landing on her arm. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I didn’t want to be a burden.” Mara felt a sting at the back of her eyes. She turned away to gain her composure. “I also didn’t want anyone to see that I wasn’t capable of running the shop. Gina and Anna both have great ideas, but implementing them would be a challenge—for me anyway.”
“You can do it.” Both Kym and Tony said simultaneously.
“That’s just the point. I don’t want to.” Mara bit her lip. Here was her chance. Now or never. “I called Karly yesterday to ask if I could work for her.”
“You did what?” The shock in Tony’s voice hit her like a hundred-mile-an-hour baseball to the chest. “You don’t need to find another job.”
“You don’t understand. I want to work with Karly. She needs the help, and she offered to let me keep all the money I make from obedience classes and training service dogs. In return, I would assist at the shelter and help with adoption days. It’s something I love, and it would provide an opportunity for you and Gina to make the changes you want to make.”
“Who would do the flower arrangements?”
“Gina could do the arranging. I could train her. Since I’d still be living in the apartment, I could step in when needed.” Mara let out a long stream of air. “I wanted to discuss all these changes with Gina present. It’s a big decision, and I wanted her to be involved.”
“I say yes.” The excitement in Gina’s voice blared into the kitchen and provided Mara some relief. “And, your nephew agrees. Anthony just smiled.
Mara, do you want to hold him?”
Mara held out her arms to accept the precious bundle. “I’m glad you like the idea.” She said to all in general. “You should also know, Jack stopped by to give me my check. Over two-hundred bucks—just for singing.”
Kym wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “I told you, you’d be great.”
“Jack extended his offer again, but I said no.”
“What? Why would you do that?” Kym’s chastise made her smile.
“Because, I told him I’d only do twice a month. I need time to practice and get my song list put together.” She shifted her nephew in her arms. “I know the payoff won’t be that much going forward, but I’d be getting paid for doing something I’d do for free.”
Kym gave a tug on her hair. “Brat.”
“Look at that.” Gina cooed over her adorable baby. “Little Tony is giving you a high-five.”
“Oh, God,” Tony groaned. “There are too many women in this kitchen. I’ll be out back with the guys drinking a beer.”
As the footsteps disappeared, Gina started to giggle, then Kym, before she joined in.
Family. This was her family.
She reached to find the contentment deep inside, but couldn’t find a thread, and understood why—Joey.
He wasn’t here.
She missed him.
Every day, she wanted to pick up the phone and call, but she couldn’t.
Instinctively, she understood he needed to find his own way home.
While he had been in town, she’d hoped to show him he was needed in Elkridge. His family needed him. She needed him. Somehow, the love of family and friends wasn’t enough to bring him back. She wasn’t enough.
Mara couldn’t blame him. After all, who would want the burden of a blind person?
A bitter acceptance fell into place, and she pulled her nephew closer. “Hey little man. I’m going to spoil you rotten. Yes, I am.” She leaned in to kiss his forehead.
At least going forward, she’d have puppies and babies in her life.
Unfortunately, none of them would be hers.
Chapter Thirty