I hum as I search my closet. I know today’s going to be slightly warmer so I don’t really want to wear something too long or too constricting. I finally settled on a pink skirt that hugged my hips but flowed out slightly from there, twin slits on each side kept it from making me feel like a sausage. I have two tops that I typically rotate between with this skirt, a simple white cropped button up (business) or a black graphic tee (casual) that I would knot to give myself a bit of an hourglass silhouette. The shirt makes me chuckle so I decided the laid back plan for today meant I could go with a laid back outfit but still stay business adjacent. Black sneakers finished off the outfit and I’m ready for the day.
There’s a flower on the corner of my desk.
I’m standing here eyeing it with suspicion, not believing it was left here on purpose.
Not for me.
Nobody gives me flowers.
Not anymore.
My dad used to but he’s been dead for 6 years now and I think if he was going to come back to the land of the living, he wouldn’t waste time leaving me flowers. He’d be with Mom reminiscing or Lola to tell her how proud of her he was. Maybe with Paul to give him fatherly advice. His relationship with Mabel was tense the last few years before he passed but I expect he would still go to her to mend fences before he even thought of me.
He’d probably be starting the process of going back to wherever we went when we died and then remember me just before it was too late.
That might be a little morbid but I am the middle child and the hardest to get along with. I didn’t have the sunshine disposition that my siblings have. Things make me mad and I don’t stay quiet when I’m bothered. People always know when I’m mad, I refuse to subscribe to the notion that it’s easier to smile and bear it if I don't like something. And as I have come to learn in my years, that makes me hard to be around. I don’t blame my family for having a hard time with me, either, I know what I’m like and I’mfinewith it.
I’m fine with it……most of the time.
All that to say, I don’t know why anyone would intentionally leave a flower on my desk. Patrick isn’t in the office and I have no doubt he would want to have a conversation about the botanical if he were.
Stepping away from my desk, I cross around the back and sit down in my office chair, picking up the flower and I fully intend to throw it in the garbage but I stall and bite the inside of my lip.
I love flowers.
The hand not holding the flower reaches over and pulls out one of my new notebooks, flipping to the first blank page, I setthe flower down and tape it to the page. I make a quick note of the date and close the book, returning it to its spot, placing a large heavy binder on top, hoping to press the flower. I will add another piece of tape once it is properly flattened.
A small smile teases my lips as I start my work for the day.
Chapter Seven
PATRICK
Ihad to run out to one of the trails after getting word that one of the information markers was knocked over. I love being outside and didn’t mind the hike but I was sure I was going to miss Elle arriving at work, which meant I was going to miss her reaction to the flower I left on her desk.
I saw it on my way into the building, the unique shade of purple caught my attention and reminded me of my unique work roommate.
It’s been a few days since the pamphlet incident and I’ve tried my best to stay out of Elle’s way but I’m struggling to fight the pull I feel towards her. I can’t shake there was more than just the grumpy facade she put out to the world. My grumpy goddess had more going on than she wanted people to see and I hoped one day she would let me see behind the mask.
I take a deep breath as I finally make my way to the wooden sign.
It looks like it hadn’t been supported properly when it was originally placed. At least it would be a quick fix. I sent a thank you out to the universe that it hadn’t broken, requiring replacement.
Replacing it would mean it would be missing from the first couple of tours and I didn’t want anything to mess with the flow I’ve been working on this soon. Disasters down the line I could handle but I wanted to show I was an asset before having to solve any major issues.
“Rick!”
Lola’s voice echoes throughout the area, making me jump and drop the sign I’d just picked up. I straighten as I hear a low manly chuckle alongside Lola’s laugh. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you! I heard you had come out here and thought I could kill a few birds with one stone.”
Lola raises a rubber mallet in the air. “I came bearing tools and I wanted to introduce you to Jude, my right hand man.”
Jude is hella intimidating, I’m not a small guy by any measure but this dude has a good 4 or 5 inches on me and big ass everywhere else. Literally, if he stood in front of Lola, she would completely disappear. He claps his hand against mine in a greeting and I have to try to subtly shake my hand out to get rid of the sting. “I would have introduced you sooner but Jude was off site for the last few days.” Lola’s smile is wide looking between us. She totally noticed me shaking my hand out. “Pleasure to meet you.” He only offers me a nod in return.
Guess he’s a man of few words.
With the assistance of Lola and Jude, getting the sign back in place is done before you can say ‘rubber mallet’. Jude probably could have just tapped the sign and it would have sunk into the ground.
“We’ll walk you back.” Lola smiles warmly and Jude gives another nod. Not a talker, this one. The walk back is quiet until Lola breaks the silence with a loud gasp that startles both Jude and myself. Jude swings his arm out in a protective move. “Jesus, woman.” Jude grouses.
