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Fredrick
I had planned the perfect date for Lila and me.
Not because I have to date her, but because I want to.
Maybe if I can rekindle some of those old emotions between us in her, she’ll be more open to my plan. Still, as that old excitement wells up in me with every step I take toward the flower shop, I can’t help but wonder how things are going to go.
The early morning breeze ruffles my hair, and I run my fingers through the thick brown locks.
My memories of the lake flirts with my mind, and I hope the place is as beautiful and amazing as I remember. It’s not just any lake; it’s a historical landmark in this town.
Stepping into the flower shop, I feel the temperature drop by several degrees, thanks to the plants. The scent of lilies and roses tickle my nose and whisk away the scent of concrete and car exhaust. Lila stands with her back to me, her attention on an arrangement before her while talking to someone unseen. “I said I’d prune them, don’t make me send you packing.” There’s a light humor in her voice I wished she’d have when talking to me. Maybe in time.
She fussed with the flowers before her, no doubt scrutinizing every bloom for any imperfections.
“Lila,” I say.
She jolts like she’s been shot and spins to face me. I see her pulse ticking too fast in her delicate neck, and she swallows hard. Her eyes lock on my face, then like someone flipped a switch, walls come down and that guarded expression takes the place of her easy humor and joy.
I don’t like the change.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, tossing a worried glance over her shoulder. Her shoulders tighten up, lifting protectively as she faces me once more. Despite her soft tone, the words are edged with steel.
“I’m here for you,” I say.
Her eyes widen, then narrow. The distrust in her expression bothers me. “Why?” she asks, before clarifying. “What do you want?”
A rustle of someone in the back room piques my interest, but I don’t mind if we have an audience, as long as they don’t interrupt. “I want to take you out.”
Her top lip arches to one side before she carefully masks her distaste. “No, thank you.”
“You don’t even know the plan.” I want her to open up to me, to let me in and give me a chance, even though I know I don’t deserve one.
She rolls her eyes, then internally seems to realize I'm not going anywhere unless she humors me, and she inhales, then exhales slowly and pastes a phony smile to her sensually-curved lips.
“Tell me the plan,” she says in a low voice, leaning toward me in a way that instantly has the blood draining from my brain to other, less intelligent parts of my body.
“You, me, picnic at the lake.”
Her eyebrows shoot up, then anger fills her features. Despite the tiny motions of her expression, I can still read her like the subtitles of a movie.
I internally will her to soften, to remember the good times we shared. The slight twitch of her eye tells me she’s not relaxing one bit.
“No.” Her refusal is quick, firm, and ironclad. “I have to work.” She gestures around the shop with one hand as if unable to believe I forgot.
I didn’t forget, I was just hoping she could play hooky for a single day.
“Don’t be silly, Lila,” May says, walking out from the back room and making her way toward me. Her difficulty moving betrays how much she’s aged, along with the deep lines in her face. “I’ll watch the shop. You go enjoy yourself.”
She pulls me into a hug. “Come here you,” she says, squeezing me as I gently wrap my arms around her frail form. I remember her always being small, but she likely weighs eighty pounds on a good day and stands no more than five feet tall - down three inches and twenty pounds from last time I saw her.
“No, May, it’s okay,” Lila says in protest, glaring at me over May’s shoulders.
But May lets me go, waving a dismissive hand at Lila. “I wasn’t asking. Go on, git.” She smiles at me. “What have they been feeding you?” she asks, patting my arm.
“You flatterer, you,” I say in good humor as she laughs, making her way to the counter while Lila crosses her arms. “You have to come now,” I say softly. “Or she’s going to be mad at you.”
We both know I’m right, and Lila lets out a huge sigh and relents, but clearly isn’t happy about how neatly she backed herself into a corner.
