I have so little money. How will I ever impress her? I kicked a rock on the sidewalk as I went, and then I realized I was right by a flower shop. I plastered my hands and face to the window.
The inside of the place was a radiant shelter for flowers of all shapes and sizes. Without thinking, I went inside. Maybe if I can find a cheap one…
I looked around eagerly.
The shop was small, and the sweet aroma of dozens of flowers filled my nostrils, calming my system. I breathed deeply, unable to help a big smile. All of the flowers were potted and placed attractively on wooden shelves against the walls of the shop. I perused them, shocked by how expensive they were.
Another memory popped into my mind. A memory of Milo giving Melissa a lilies.
There was a pot of lilies on a lower shelf. I knelt, and then frowned. Forty dollars… I’ll never be able to afford that.
I stood up, lowering my eyes sadly.
“What are you doing here?” A voice cut through my reverie.
I glanced over my shoulder. When I saw it was Dr. Green, I had the need to pretend to be far more well-mannered than I actually was. I stood up straight, shoulders back, with my hands in my pockets. “I was going to buy some lilies for my girlfriend, but…”
A smile twitched at the corner of Dr. Green’s lips. “Girlfriend, huh?”
I nodded with a smile of my own.
Dr. Green frowned in another moment, looking guiltily down at his shoes. “Seems like you’re living a pretty good life, then.”
I had no response to that. Melissa was the best thing that had happened to me since I had graduated. Everything else had been… wretched.
“What about you?” I changed the subject. “Are you buying something for a boyfriend?”
Dr. Green’s face twisted in disgust merely at the mention of a boyfriend. Something about that hurt me inside more than anything.
He must hate himself. I realized.
“I was here buying flowers for a coworker. It’s her Birthday.” Dr. Green clarified. “Well. Why don’t you buy the lilies?”
I looked to the side, unable to admit that I didn’t have the money for them. I didn't want Dr. Green to insult me for it. Dr. Green’s face scrunched up in a smile when he realized what was going on.
“I can buy them for you.” He offered.
“You don’t have to!” I protested.
Dr. Green shook his head and picked up the lilies. “It’s no trouble. I have more money than I know what to do with.”
My cheeks were beet red. My legs felt weak, my stomach felt woozy. I followed Dr. Green to the cashier counter, placing the pot of lilies on top of it. The cashier pushed some buttons on his computer screen and then the dollar amount charged popped up on the POA screen.
Dr. Green paid for the flowers, and then handed them to me. I blushed all-the-harder. I held them tenderly, sticking my nose in them and inhaling the intoxicating aroma.
We went outside together and were both silent for a moment. Dr. Green wasn’t looking me in the eyes. He leaned against the building, his hands in his pockets, his eyes glued to the cement beneath his feet. I was about to say something when Dr. Green pushed himself off the building and began walking away. “See you later.”
My heart pounded in a different kind of way, now. A panicked sort of way--like I was losing something precious.
I heaved deep breaths until I could hear nothing else but my beating heart and my own muffled breathing.
The black tower flashed into my mind.
I yelled, “Wait!” And ran to Dr. Green’s side.
Dr. Green turned slightly as I caught up to him.
“What?” He asked.
My mouth moved, but no sound came out for a moment. In another moment, I stupidly managed to say the worst thing possible. “I might never see you again. Can I have a kiss?”
Dr. Green grinned. He turned all the way around.
His face came nearer and nearer to mine, and there was never a moment in my life before that that felt half as electric and dizzying. I closed my eyes, standing on my tip-toes so he could kiss me easier.
His hands cupped my cheeks, I felt his breath on my face.
I waited an eternity for that kiss.
Instead, he moved his hands to the back of my neck and yanked my head both left and right, making it crack like a celery. I opened my eyes, blinking confusedly.
“I’ll give you an adjustment for old times sake, but I think you ought to stay loyal to your lady.” Dr. Green said with a laugh, poking my nose. He went on his way again after that. With his hands in his trench coat he called, “Have a good life, Kay.”
I watched him go as a gentle rain began pattering down from the sky. I held the pot of flowers, lovingly leaning a cheek against them.
I genuinely didn’t know why I still had such a crush on him. Where Melissa seemed to bring the sun, Dr. Green seemed to bring the rain.
I walked down the strip a little bit longer, forcing myself to be active for a change. I looked in a few more shops, wanting to buy dozens of things, and was sad that I couldn’t. Still, I couldn’t deny that it was good to get out. Once I had had my fill, I returned to my apartment. I put the pot of lilies on my nightstand and then sat on the edge of my bed, staring at it the flowers affectionately, with my elbows propped up on my knees and my hands cupping my cheeks.
Suddenly, my eyes lost their focus, as did my brain.
I was no longer seeing or thinking about what was in front of me. Instead, I was back in the black halls of the black tower.
Comments (2)
See all