AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The three of us fell through the doors, giggling and gushing about Justin. One foot inside, the concrete jungle disappeared, and the sweet-scented oasis claimed us.
Irida’s Gardenhung in big, bold neon letters above the shop—aptly named for Irida meant rainbow. That’s what it was like crossing the threshold, walking into the living, breathing wonder of a rainbow jungle.
Marigolds, zinnias, roses, forget-me-nots, daffodils, tulips, lavender, and all the climbing ivies and tickling bushes in between. If it blooms, flowers, or sprouts, it can be found in Irida’s Garden.
“Ah, I love this place.” Kylie stuck her nose in a rose. “The only thing special about my dad’s office is the vindictive little flying rat that poops on my book bag every time I visit.”
“We told you not to throw your egg roll at that pigeon,” Dina said. “They hold grudges.”
“I was trying to feed him!”
“Exactly,” I returned. “He held a grudge because you only gave him half.”
“Who’s that I hear?”
We turned as the banana tree leaves parted and a pretty, lined face stuck out.
“Oooh, I was right. I knew I heard the smartest, most beautiful, most talented sixteen-year-old goddess there ever was.” She threw her arms open. “Come on, don’t fight it. Birthday sugar, then birthday cake.”
Laughing, I ran over and accepted my sixteen big, smacking smooches all over my face.
“Are you sticking around for cake and presents, Di? Ky?”
They ripped open their bags and plucked out their presents. That was a yes.
Weaving around the plants and indoor fountains, the four of us burst into our attached apartment—no less filled with flowers and greenery.
Our tiny two-bed, one-bath wasn’t much compared to the penthouses every other student in Haris Day lived in. Mom, Irida herself, did extremely well with her business. She was the go-to florist for every high-society wedding in Manhattan. Her waiting list stretched into next year.
All the same, we were never moving. This was the tiny little hole-in-the-wall attached to the back of a shop that she bought with my dad when they had nothing but each other and a dream. This was the living room where she gave birth to me when baby Aella decided she had enough and wasn’t waiting for my folks to get to the hospital.
All of her happiest memories were here, and so were mine.
Soon, the four of us were kicking back on the couch with slices of crème brûlée cheesecake and a pile of presents and upturned gift bags.
“—then he kissed her handagainbefore he left, Mama Rida,” Kylie said. “Isn’t that a good sign? Doesn’t that mean he’s into her?”
“Absolutely,” Mom replied.
Both my friends called her Mama Rida. She said that made her sound like a toothless circus fortuneteller who hides empty wine bottles in her shawl.
That’s why she loved it.
“Sixteen-year-old boys don’t go out of their way for anything less than what they really want. Getting up to help their screaming mother crumpled at the foot of the stairs when their video games are right in from of them? Easy choice.” She winked. “Walking you all the way home is basically a marriage proposal.”
“Mom,” I cried. “You’re supposed to be the calm, wise adult who stops us from spinning out on wild fantasies.”
“Eh, fuck that.”
We busted up. This is what I loved on my birthday. Laughing and hanging out with my favorite people in the world.
“Your dad was the same way,” Mom continued, sobering. The green eyes she gave me crinkled at the edges even as they shone with unshed tears. Happy and sad. I didn’t understand how memories could be both. “He lived miles and miles away back then, and still he was on time every day after work to take me to the botanical gardens. Never missed a day. And was never a minute late.”
“Wow,” Dina whispered. “The last guy I went out with left me standing outside the theater for two hours because his boys came over and he forgot about me. Then he got mad at me for making a big deal about it.”
“Nathan was an ass.” Kylie flopped back, sighing. “But Mr. Vanda sounds like Prince Charming. Pretty sure they don’t make guys like that anymore.”
“They absolutely do, because you three deserve no less.” Mom squeezed my knee getting up. “And now that I mentioned Daddy, it’s time for your surprise.”
