| Chapter Three |
|
Kevin Richardson pulled open the heavy plate glass door
of Enid’s Garden, the bells jingling merrily as he entered. The biting
cold wind had chilled him to the bone, a pink-almost red-hue lighting up his
face, and he greeted the flower shop’s warmth with open arms. “Good morning,
Kevin,” Enid chirped, skirting around the counter to hug him. “Did you sleep
well?” Kevin scooped her up into his arms, lifting her petite
body entirely off the floor, before kissing her wrinkled forehead. “Yes, Gram,”
he replied with a roll of his eyes. Enid reached up and bopped him alongside the head
lightly. “Don’t roll your eyes at me, boy! It’s not very often you make it up
north to see me and when you do, it’s my duty to spoil you.” “Gram, I’m 30 years old. I don’t need spoiling,” Kevin
retorted. “I don’t care if you’re 50! You’re still my grandbaby!”
Enid shot back, a tender smile on her ruby-colored lips. Kevin shook his head. She hadn’t changed one bit since
the last time he’d seen her three years before. If anything, her spunk had
increased as she’d gotten older. But she still had the same gentle green eyes
and silvery hair she left long and flowing down her back. “Thanks for your
assistance yesterday, Gram,” he stated softly, caressing her hair lovingly. He
brought his nose to the shining strands and inhaled, chuckling as he smelled
the familiar scents of rose petals and coconut oil. Enid patted his cheek affectionately. “Anything for you,
baby,” she replied equally as quiet. “Now, if you’d only cut your hair and
shave, I’d be the happiest grandmother in Cedar Grove,” she added, tugging on
his shoulder-length locks. Kevin feigned pain, whining, “Ow, Gram!” as he pulled his
hair back into a low-slung ponytail. But his eyes belied his agony with the
twinkle of love and humor shining in his ivy-colored orbs. Enid turned and walked back to her post behind the
register, Kevin following close behind. “So,” Kevin began, leaning against the
counter, his arms tucked under his broad chest, “did she like them?” he asked. Enid shook her head. “I don’t know, angel. Viv and Taryn
haven’t arrived yet,” she answered, noting the nervousness that radiated from
her grandson’s body. “Don’t worry, Kevin. She loved them. I’m sure of it,” she
attested, rubbing his hand reassuringly. She dug out a display book and flipped
it to the Valentine’s section, setting it in front of Kevin. “What’s this for, Gram?” he asked, puzzled. “Darling, it’s a cover up. So that she doesn’t suspect
we’re in cahoots. It will throw us of her suspicious scent.” Kevin stared at his grandmother. “You were an espionage
agent in your younger years, weren’t you?” he snickered. “You don’t know how many times I’ve been asked that!” Joyous laughter filled the shop, echoing off the walls
and shelves. But when the door opened, the jingling bells a signal of someone’s
arrival, all was silent. “I know you did,” Vivian stated matter-of-factly, pulling
the door open and stepping in from the cold. Taryn entered behind her. “I did not!”
“Not!” “Whatever,” Vivian sighed, sauntering through the
half-door and depositing her coat and bag into her cubby. Taryn gazed after her for a moment before turning to
Enid. “Why won’t she believe me?!” she asked with frustration. “Oh, sorry, sir.
I didn’t see you standing there,” she apologized to Kevin, noting he was the
same man from yesterday. Kevin smiled at her. “Not a problem.” “What won’t she believe you about?” Enid questioned, her
thumb rapidly flicking through the one-dollar bills as she counted the till. Taryn jumped over the counter and dropped her bag to the
floor, taking a seat on the tall stool at Enid’s side. “Here’s the thing. Vivie
got flowers last night. And she thinks I sent them to her.” She paused, looking
for a reaction from Enid. When she got none, she continued, “I didn’t, Enid!
She won’t believe me! I keep telling her she must have a secret admirer. But
she doesn’t listen. She thinks I’m pulling some trick to get her hopes up. Or
to make her feel better. Or something. But, Christ!” she stopped, her head
dropping in frustration. “Well, did she like them?” Enid asked. “What? I come in here, bitchin’ and moanin’. Trying to
defend myself. But does anyone care? No. All they want to know is if she liked
them?!” Taryn cried toward the ceiling,
throwing her hands up in irritation. “Well, did she?” Enid asked again. “YES!” Taryn shouted. Kevin’s deep chuckle brought Taryn’s attention to him.
“So, did your girlfriend like her flowers?” she inquired, attempting to express
some smidgen of politeness toward their customer. “Apparently so,” he replied with a smile, sharing a
secret glance with Enid. It didn’t go unnoticed.
“What did you get her?” “Orchids and lilies.” Taryn lifted her eyebrows. “Wow. That’s exactly what
Viv…” She stopped mid-sentence. “Hold the press!” She pointed at Kevin, her
lips moving in silent conversation, before erupting with a maniacal laugh that
startled both Kevin and Enid. “You!” she cried loudly. Kevin put a finger to her lips. “Keep it down.” “Sorry,” Taryn whispered. “You sent her those flowers,
didn’t you? I knew I didn’t do it. But I’ve been racking my brain all night
trying to figure out who in the hell would. I asked my husband, the landlord.
Shit! Even my nephew and he’s only six weeks old!” Just then Vivian appeared around the doorframe. “Taryn,
are you working today or flirting with the customers?” she asked angrily. Her
gaze locked with Kevin’s for a split second and her breath caught. His bright
green eyes seemed to study her. Pierced her down to the very center of her
being. Taryn looked between the two of them, a knowing smirk on her full lips.
“Taryn? Coming?” Vivian asked, breaking her gaze with Kevin, her voice more
subdued. Taryn jumped off her stool and picked up her bag. “Oh! I
never got your name,” she said, turning back towards Kevin. Kevin extended his hand. “Kevin Richardson.” “Nice to meet you, Kevin. I’m Taryn Marx,” Taryn replied,
shaking Kevin’s hand firmly. “Taryn!” Vivian called from the back. “Christ, Viv! Relax!!” Taryn jumped over the counter and
walked through the half-door. “Bye, Kevin. It’s been a pleasure,” she stated
with a wink of her blue eye and a small giggle. “Well, Gram. I’m off. I’ll see you later tonight,” Kevin
said, leaning over the counter and kissing Enid’s rouged cheek. “Bye, baby,” Gram called after him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Vivian stretched out in the recliner, Whisper on her lap
and a cool washcloth covering her eyes. She felt the twinges of a migraine
attack early on at work and Enid forced her to go home and rest. She welcomed
the silence. Embraced it in her arms. Changing from slacks and a sweater into
sweats and a ratty t-shirt, Vivian claimed the downy cushions of the recliner
as her recuperating spot. And had for the last three hours. Aside from Whisper
changing positions occasionally, the apartment on Oak Hill was eerily still. But just as she was dozing off into a relaxing slumber, a
resonating knock echoed through her apartment. “Go away!” she shouted. “I have a delivery for a Vivian Sloan,” a gentle voice
called back to her. Mumbling under her breath, Vivian scooped Whisper up under
one arm and shuffled to the door, the damp washcloth perched across her head.
She fumbled with the locks for a few seconds before opening the door to reveal
the same deliveryman from the day before. A crystal vase of snapdragons and
tiger lilies interspersed with baby’s breath and sprigs of Greek olive leaves
held securely in his open hands. Vivian shook her head. She could not understand who would
insist on sending her flowers. It had to be Taryn. But then why was she so
adamant about not sending them? “M’am?” the deliveryman interrupted her
wandering thoughts. “Huh?” “You have to sign for these, m’am,” he spoke quietly.
Vivian nodded and set Whisper on his feet, taking the clipboard from the young
man’s hands. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said as he turned toward the
elevators. Vivian was hit with serious déjà vu, taking the ornate design to the
table and setting it next to her previous bundle of orchids and lilies. With
trembling fingers, she pulled the card out of the holder and read the words
scripted on pale ivory paper. Vivie, I can promise from me you’ll never receive roses or pink
carnations. Only the kisses from my lips and the delicate touch of my hands.
With only one look, one word, you entranced me and now, I never want to spend
one day with out hearing the melodic tone of your laughter and your lyrical
words. Without seeing the fire in your eyes and the light in your soul. It
would be so easy to fall in love with you… Eternally Yours |