Earl quit his job at the bank and began working at the flower shop to help save money to get his own apartment away from his parents' business. Since they are working closely together their friendship has been blooming quickly. Earl loves working at the shop but now that he is finally free from his parents, he can fight for his real dream of being on stage. He began to start auditioning for musicals, but it has been difficult since he was new. Their lives seemed better, but something was missing. He could sense everyday Alder was still hiding something.

The doorbell chimed as Alder walked into the shop to be greeted by a smiling Earl making a bouquet of roses for the window display. Trying to ignore the blush spreading on his cheeks, he walked towards the back garden to pick flowers. Since Earl had been working there Alder would be outside more often growing and picking his creations. He was finally free to test his powers and learn from them, still, of course, he had to be careful, but Earl installed a doorbell to alert him of customers. It was a normal day just like any other, Earl was making bouquets while Alder was in the garden when the door chimed, and in walked Amelia.

Earl paused, staring at the woman, and questioned, “Mom? What are you doing here?”

“Your father threw me out; he thought if I was on your side that I should just stay with you. I thought I’d find you here. I need your help.” Alder, hearing the noise, looked over, and walked inside the shop.

“Hello, miss... Mrs. Hughes?” Alder was puzzled.

“Alder this is my mom, Mom this is Alder, my boss.”

“I remember you.” She stared at the man in the green knit sweater... “You were the one who dropped off my son that day.” Walking closer as if interrogating him she smirked. “I guess you're a really good friend then.” A small tint of pink filled his cheeks as he turned away and walked towards the desk where Earl stood.

“You quit working with us for him?” She teased.

Earl ignoring her remarks asked, “we need to think of a plan then- right? To get you back home?” He looked over to Alder who reassured him,

“Yes, I think it’s time for you both to confront him.”

“Confront?” Earl blurted out.

“That might work.” Replied Amelia.

“He’s gone too far, and if he wants to lose us, he’ll have to tell us himself.”

A couple of days went by before Amelia returned to the flower shop to retrieve Earl and go back to the large mansion where Mr. Hughes stayed. As the taxi drove up to the house Earl began to shake and squeeze his palms.

“Mom, are you sure we have to do this.” He questioned with a shaky voice.

“He needs to learn from his mistakes.”

The car stopped at the mansion leaving the two to stand in front of the giant house and gaze at the lion knocker staring into their souls.