The Flower Shop

Chapter Seven

Jalil walked down the hallway of the familiar building. Stopping at the familiar door, he knocked on it and looked at his watch- pleased to see that he was right on time
When the door opened, Jalil was met with the familiar face of his parole officer. The black man's nametag read JENKINS and his blue suit was crisp and clean. He nodded and waved Jalil in before taking a seat at his desk.
"Jalil, it's nice to see you again." Officer Jenkins spoke holding out his his hand.
Jalil nodded, leaning over to shake the older man's hand. "Same, Officer."
"So, Jalil," Officer Jenkins began. "How are things going?"
"Things are well. The shop is flourishing- literally," Jalil laughed as he thought about all the plants that he saw daily. "But work is well. Nadia gave me a raise- since the shop has been doing well lately. We've been getting more attention on our website."
Officer Jenkins nodded, taking notes. "Good. Last time we spoke you said you picked up writing. How has that been going for you."
"It's been great, to be honest. Back in the day I'd write privately but thst has nothing on this. I love it- and it keeps me calm."
"Jalil that's amazing. What do you plan on doing with your writings?"
Jalil paused and thought about the question." To be honest- I don't know. My girlfriend constantly tells me that I need to publish them or something but I haven't looked into that." Jalil shrugged.
"Maybe you should. Just keep it in your back pocket." Officer Jenkins said.
"I will."
Officer Jenkins shifted and looked at the younger man he'd known for over a year. "Well, Jalil- I have good news. I'm gonna petition the courts that you be released from your parole early. You've given me no trouble in the year, and you continuously show me that you've learned from your mistake and grow as a person. I personally don't see why you have to keep coming."
Jalil's eyes widened at Officer Jenkin's words. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Are you foreal?"
"Yep." Officer Jenkins smile. "Serious as a heart attack. You deserve this."
Jalil felt exhilaration course through his veins. If the courts would accept his plea, he'd be free from his past mistake. He could officially put it behind him.
"Jalil, just keep moving forward. You're on your way- that I believe." Office Jenkins said.
Jalil was speechless as he took in those words. The meeting ended soon after and he was on cloud nine rejoicing and praising God for this news. On the way home he couldn't stop smiling and when he told his sister the good news, she hugged him tightly.
"Aw J! I'm so happy for you." She hugged him, careful not to let her dough covered hands touch him.
"Jaheim tell your Uncle congrats!" Jacquie coo'd to her son who babbled and kicked in his high chair.
Jalil picked the baby up and kissed his forehead. "Thank you Neph." He looked at him. "I pray you don't do what I did."
Jacquie hugged her brother. "And even if he does- he'll still be loved like you are. You deserve this."
Jalil hugged his sister with his free arm and sat down with his nephew in his arms. He handed the baby his teething ring before looking at his sister.
"If all goes well, I'll need someone to come to the courthouse with me that day. Officer Jenkins said that I'll need a character statement."
Jacquie nodded. "I know you do. I think the best person to ask is Nadia."
Jalil nodded. "I was thinking about her. But since we're together- do you think it'll be a conflict or interest?"
Jacquie sighed loudly as she continued to knead the dough that was in her hands.
"I'll ask around for you. But I'll say this, while you two are dating, she is your employer." Jacquie spoke.
Jalil nodded in understanding as he watched his nephew gum his teething ring.
"Thanks sis." He said and she winked at him, continuing her task. Jalil leaned back in the chair and looked at his nephew, praying that his life would be filled with joy.

**
Days later Jalil watched as Nadia put braids into her hair. He was at her house for a movie night and she was finishing up hair hair from washing it earlier that day.
"So how long did this take you?" Jalil asked as he fingered the various braids on her head.
Nadia's fingers continued to work on her braid as she responded. "Like 5 hours."
"My hands would fall off." Jalil said and Nadia laughed. He smiled as she lay back on the couch, holding her stomach as Jail made her laugh.
"J, that wasn't supposed to be that funny." She said as she caught her breath. "But it was. I swear it was."
Jalil's hand reached up and rubbed her back as he focused on the movie they were watching. She had him watching one of her favorite movies, Dreamgirls. He smiled and watched as she sang off key with the music.
"I can't sing, but if I could, I would want a voice like Ms. Jennifer Hudson! She can sing someone up out of the grave." Nadia said as she finished her last braid.
"Finally, I'm done. Ooo, baby this is my favorite part- the argument scene." Nadia said as she leaned back closer to Jalil.
Although Nadia was watching the television, he was more content with watching her. From her laughs to her gentle gestures, she implanted herself deeper into his heart with each passing day.
As the movie continued, Jalil grabbed Nadia's hands and turned her body to face him.
"Hey, I gotta tell you something." Jalil said as he looked at her.
"What's up?" Nadia said as she placed her head in her chin.
"I saw my parole officer the other day and he's gonna petition the courts to get me off parole early." Jalil explained. Nadia's face lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Oh baby!" She said as her hands hugged his neck and kissed his lips repeatedly. "I am so happy for you! Why did you wait to tell me?"
"Because we've been so busy at the shop with that whole fundraiser thing, I didn't want to tell you there. I wanted to tell you when it was just us."
Nadia nodded in understanding. "I get that. I'll be happy when that fundraiser is over. Michelle calls every other day on some mess." Nadia rolled her eyes. "It's annoying."
Jalil laughed. "I can tell. But don't let her bother you."
"I won't baby- but back to you! So, when will you have to go to court and everything? We're closing the shop that day." Nadia said.
"He said he'll call me with updates. I asked Jacquie about the process and everything and she told me today I'll probably have to get a character statement from someone. I was wondering if you could do it?"
Nadia smiled. "Aw you thought of me, huh?" She kissed his nose. "I'd love to, but would it be a conflict of in terest since I'm your employer and your girlfriend? If the courts find that out- I wouldn't it want to look crazy for you."
Jalil nodded in understanding. "Jacquie did mention that part as well. If you can't do it- I'll find someone to do it."
Nadia twisted her lips to the side, suddenly feeling down. "I'm sorry I couldn't help, baby."
Jalil kissed her lips. "Baby it's not your fault. Although you did lowkey seduce me when we first met one another."
Nadia laughed and hit his chest lightly. "I did not!"
"Yes you did." Jalil said. "It was those braids you were wearing. They were longer Han this did you duty your hair?" He asked as he fingered the ends of her hair. 
"L.O.L, no.  I had box braids probably. These are braids with my hair only- we call them mini braids." She explained. "I didn't think you paid that much attention to me. You were so quiet."
"Oh I did pay attention. I still do." He kissed her forehead.
Nadia smiled and intertwined their hands. "I'm gonna pray for you about your parole. Is that ok?"
Jalil nodded and watched as Nadia paused the television, and closed her eyes, praying for his situation. When she was done, Jalil looked at her.
"I love you." Jalil said as he looked into her eyes.
Nadia's heart raced at his words as she took them in. He just said he loves me, Nadia thought to herself as she looked down at her hands. He just said he loves me.
Nadia cleared her throat and finally looked into Jalil's eyes after a few minutes of silence. Before she could say anything though, Jalil began to speak.
"Nadia, you don't have to say it right now. But I wanted to let you know that I love you now. When the time comes for you to say it, you'll know. But that was just on my heart right now."
Nadia nodded, taking in his words. "I appreciate you for telling me that- and for giving me time."
Jalil nodded, kissing her forehead. "Of course. Now- what scene is this?" Jalil said as he pointed to the television."
"Ok so this is where Jimmy takes off his clothes. Look at his face while he's doing it." She said as she turned the television off mute and the music began play.

The next day, Nadia struggled to put a fresh packet of flower food on one of her top shelves.
Feeling someone take it from her hands, she watched as they placed it onto the shelf with ease. Turning around she saw that it was Jalil. He looked down at her with a smile.
"I don't know why you decided to struggle just now."
Nadia laughed. "Boy, please. I could've done it."
"With a stool, yes." Jalil joked before looking around the store. They had just opened and it was empty. He then looked at Nadia, who was busy arranging vases on the shelf below it.
He lightly grabbed her waist and she looked up at him with questioning eyes.
"What are you doing?" Nadia asked as she wrapped her arms around Jalil's neck.
Jalil said nothing as he kissed her lips. Nadia eagerly returned it, getting lost in the way his lips felt against hers.
Someone clearing their throat made the couple break apart with shock written on their faces.
"Uh, hey Michelle." Nadia stammered as she smoothed out her apron. "What are you doing here?"
"I came so we could get some business done for the fundraiser. You know- the early bird gets the worm." Michelle said as she pushed her sunglasses on her forehead and looking squarely at Jalil. "Hello Jalil."
"Hey Michelle." Jalil said, forcing a smile. He looked at Nadia and leaned down to her ear.
"I'ma let you handle that. I'll finish up here. I love you." He whispered as he lightly kissed her cheek.
Nadia locked eyes with him and felt her heart soar with happiness. While she hadn't said those words back to him, it gave her joy that he was so open with expressing himself to her each chance he got.
Turning back to Michelle, Nadia smiled at her friend. "So, what's on the agenda for today?" She said as she led her back to the front of the store.
"I wanted to solidify the flowers we were going with. When I talked to you last time, you said that you were stuck between the orchids or the pepper hoe ones." Michelle said.
"They're called 'pepeomnia hope', Michelle." Nadia laughed. "And you're right. The central colors that you're using are teal, white, and lilac right?"
"Yes."
"From my professional advice I'd sat do a mixture of both. You already have the marble pathos and birds nest fern. If you do a mixture of you can literally show the different stages of growth. And the fact that a lilac has a pretty flower- can maybe inspire and give the ladies hope." Nadia explained.
Michelle smiled. "See, that's what I like to hear. Can you go ahead and put in an order for 20 flowers each? Also, can you make sure they're delivered here on the 15th of August? The event is the 16th and I want to look at them before hand to make sure they're in tip top shape."
Nadia nodded and allowed her hands to type on the computer. Once she ordered the flowers and Michelle paid for them, she expected her friend to leave. But she didn't. Michelle lingered around the counter, tapping her manicured hails on the glass and looking aimlessly around the shop.
"Do you need anything else?" Nadia asked and Michelle looked at her, as if she had then noticed that Nadia was watching her.
"No, actually I don't think I do." Michelle smiled. She pushed her shades down so they covered her eyes. "Actually I am curious about something-do you guys deliver?"
Nadia leaned on the counter. "Not usually. Jalil and I are the sole employees of the shop." Nadia smiled.
Michelle nodded. "Hmm, ok. I'll have to get one of our brothers from our brother fraternity to swing by that day. You remember Darryl don't you? Well, he'll be in town with some of his line brothers and he offered to help us out."
"Of course I remember Darryl. That was my homie when we took genetics spring of sophomore year. It's crazy because he was pledging during that time and still managed to pull a B out of that class." Nadia said as she thought of her classmate.
"Sounds like you might want to see him then." Michelle smirked at her friend who only looked at her with a smile.
"I do actually. It would be amazing to catch up with him to see what he's up to. I have him on social media, but it's never the same as talking with him in person." Nadia said.
Michelle's smirk turned into a wide smile. "That can be arranged. I think he'll be glad to see you as well."
Michelle waved goodbye to Nadia and once she was settled into her smooth white convertible, she grinned a wicked smile.
"Hey Aurora, call Darryl Washington." She spoke and seconds later her blutooth ringer sang throughout the car.
Darryl and Nadia sitting in a tree- K-I-S-S-I-N-G, she thought as she waited for her old friend to answer the phone.

**
Tsk, tsk, tsk.  Michelle is up to no good. Somebody bring in the prayer warriors.