My wellness center wasn't big and fancy, but I was proud of it. I hadn't always wanted to be a business owner, but running the store combined my desire to help others with the ability to earn a living. I was proud of my little spot, and every inch of space was carefully used. The calming, clean scent of citrus and ginger from infused oils filled the air, and the small refrigerator hummed quietly near the counter, filled with my latest kombucha inventory.
Yoga mats stood upright in a wicker basket near books on mindfulness and proper nutrition. My essential oils collection was vast, as were my natural skincare products and herbal supplements. A small table showcased healing crystals. I didn't sell many, but I liked to keep them on hand for customers who needed them. My bestsellers were rose quartz for balance and calm—a personal favorite of mine—lapis lazuli for inner strength, and citrine for confidence and success.
Healthy snacks occupied a rack in one corner: trail mixes, protein bars, dark chocolate sweetened with dates. I also stacked them on the counter for impulse purchases. When Blossom used to work in the store with me, she'd sneak some of the chocolateor the trail mix with chocolate pieces. Hard to believe those days were long gone and my only child was getting married.
Married!
Mrs. Chen turned her attention to me, tilting her head slightly. "Why did you sigh?"
"I sighed?"
"Yes. Something is on your mind."
I straightened a box of ginger root tea and this time consciously released a sigh. "Blossom got engaged last week."
Mrs. Chen's face lit up. "That is wonderful news! Congratulations!" The smile faded from her face. "You are not happy."
"The engagement was a surprise."
"Oh."
"I met her fiancé for the first time on Friday night."
Mrs. Chen raised a surprised eyebrow.
"No ring," I continued. "Just—" I waved a hand vaguely "—impulse and romance and youth."
She chuckled. "Very modern. Sounds like something my grandchildren would do."
"We met the fiancé and his father for dinner, and it was a mess. His name is Manuel, his father's name is Jamison—and he's as stuffy as his name implies," I added.
Mrs. Chen's smile softened. "How bad was the mess?"
"Catastrophic." I pressed my lips together. "The father is insufferably rude, a complete square, and a tightwad. He's as bad as my ex-husband, maybe worse."
I told her everything, from the time Blossom dropped the unexpected invitation on me to the dinner that started a bit awkwardly before progressing along fine and then ending like a volcanic eruption. I was honest about my role in the blow-up.
I ended with another sigh, this one louder and longer. "My daughter wants me to apologize to him."
I had intended to contact Jamison yesterday, but I'd been busy most of the day, and since last night was the final class in my meditation series until the fall, I had stayed late to talk to students who needed additional help.
Mrs. Chen cocked her head. "She wants you to apologize to the father?"
"Yes. To Jamison."
Mrs. Chen nodded slowly. "Pride is a heavy burden to carry. Very tiring."
I let out a humorless laugh. "You don't have to tell me."
She straightened a box of oolong tea. "We have a saying." She said some words in Chinese, her voice solemn and even-toned before she translated them. "Harmony is precious. If a family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper."
Her words settled in my chest. Basically, peace was more important than being right. Mrs. Chen often doled out advice in the same way—in a soft voice, gently, referencing some ancient Chinese saying. I had no idea if what she told me were truly Chinese proverbs, but she always made sense.
"You're right," I said.
She squeezed my hand. "The situation will improve. Blossom is a good girl. She is smart. You raised her well."
A lump appeared in my throat. My biggest worry was that I'd somehow screwed up my kid. I knew my belief system and lifestyle were odd to many people, and I'd made my share of mistakes in life. The last thing I wanted to do was raise a human who turned out to be a mess.
