Among The Wildflowers

𝕋𝕨𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕪-𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕖: Memories

It's the day before Nic's twelfth birthday and Gina has her hands full.

From planning the party, to running around getting decorations, and trying to keep Nic away from her gifts, Gina realizes she's tired.

She's in town picking up a few final things, double checking her list to make sure she isn't forgetting anything.

Placing the items on the counter, Gina tries to avoid making conversation with Marie, the clerk.

But, as always, it doesn't work for long.

"So," Marie begins, putting the candles into a grocery bag,"how have ya been?"

"Fine," Gina clips,"you?"

Marie raises a brow,"Everything alright?"

"Everything's fine. Just have to get back home to make Bella's cake."

Marie scans another item and places it in the bag.

"It's her birthday?"

"Tomorrow," Gina replies,"she'll be twelve."

"Ah, well that's great."

Gina nods, her eyes intently focused on the credit card in her hand.

"So, have ya thought about giving her a daddy?"

Gina freezes. Her eyes shoot up, wide with shock.

"What?"

The clerk continues scanning and bagging the rest of the items.

"Well, I just mean that it'd be nice for her to have a father figure. Have ya been talking to anyone recently?"

The woman watches Gina out of the corner of her eye as she bags the last of the groceries.

"Haven't really wanted to," Gina says, handing the woman her card.

"Oh, honey, please don't tell me you're still stuck on Willie Reid. I mean, Gina, it's been years."

"To be honest, he didn't even cross my mind," Gina lies,"but thanks for bringing that back up."

"Well," the woman leans over the counter, as if she's sharing a secret,"People have been talking about you two recently."

"Can't see what they'd have to talk about."

Marie swipes Gina's card, but doesn't hand it back over the counter.

"Honey, you two were the epitome of true love back then. Nobody wanted to believe it when he.. left."

Gina doesn't say anything. She's reliving her memories, the day her heart broke beyond repair.

"I mean, leaving you at the altar like he did? And with a note as his only explanation," the woman scoffs,"it's disgusting."

Blinking back tears, Gina holds out her hand for her card.

"I have to go now."

With a look of sympathy, Marie hands over the card.

"Of course, have a nice day, honey."

Gina leaves the store as quickly as she can, not even bothering to grab her receipt.

-

Back at home, Gina begins to make the strawberry cake her daughter requested.

She tries to keep her mind off what Marie said, but it continues to replay in her head.

Willie Reid? It's been years.

Gina cracks two eggs over the bowl and grabs her whisk.

The epitome of true love.

She pours the batter into the cake pan.