A Different Form of Art

Chapter Twenty One

Liam POV

After kissing Bradley goodbye, I still wasn't sure about his magically healed leg but he said he felt fine so I let him go, I unlocked the front door to the shop and walked inside. Not even a full minute had passed before I heard the front bell tinkle, signaling someone had walked inside. Granted, I was a few hours late opening but I rarely had people come inside right after I opened. I walked out of the back room and recognized the customer as the young boy who had been here before.

"Hey, nice to see you again. How's your mum doing?" I asked, trying to make conversation.

"Oh, uh, not too well. This might actually be the last time I come to get flowers for her, her conditions have gotten worse and if there isn't any improvement they're going to turn her machines off tomorrow, so this is kinda her last day." He said, with tears in his eyes. I remembered what Bradley had say, about offering to talk to him and offer support.

"I'm so sorry. Hey if you ever need someone to talk to, and I mean it, you can talk to me. I know I'm just a stranger, but honestly I am here for you to talk to. I'll give you my phone number if you want." I offered.

He looked at me, with a grateful look in his eyes, "Thank you, so much. I really don't have anyone to talk to, I'm gonna take you up on that. What's your name, I don't think I've ever properly introduced myself to you. I'm Lucas." He said.

"Nice to properly meet you Lucas. My name is Liam. Do you have any other family, or friends?" I asked.

"No, everyone at school bullies me and my dad is super abusive, I don't know what I'm gonna do if I lose my mum, she's the only person I feel really cares about me. I don't want to have to live with just my father, although he doesn't physically harm me, he is very verbally abusive which, in my opinion is just as bad. Words hurt, a lot, and it really sucks." He explained.

"Holy crap I'm so sorry. I completely agree with the verbal abuse thing, any kind of abuse is horrible. I was bullied a lot at school too, I really regret not standing up for myself but sometimes you just can't. Looking back now it was dumb, but I know how it feels to be bullied. It feels like there's nothing you can do about it." I replied.

"Yeah, that's exactly how it feels. It's dumb how people get all excited just to make someone else feel terrible." He said.

"It's terrible, and it's unneeded. Can I ask how old you are? I know that's a weird question, but I was just wondering. You don't have to answer if you don't want to." I asked him.

"I'm twelve, it's fine. Can I ask how old you are, Liam?" He replied.

"Yeah, of course. I'm 22, I never went to university. Just kinda enjoyed floral art and decided to go with it." I explained.

"Makes sense. Hey I gotta get back to the hospital, but thanks for listening. I'll probably be back soon, but can I get your number just in case? If you don't see me for a couple days, can you call or something? I'll try to come in but I'm not sure I'll be able to." He said.

"Sure, if I don't see you in the next three days, including today, how about I call you and we can meet up to talk?" I offered, punching my number and name into his phone.

"Sounds good. Oh I almost forgot what I came here for, flowers. What would you suggest, Liam the flower man?" He asked me, seeming more comfortable talking to me by the second.

"I'm not sure, what's your mum's favorite color?" I asked.

"Purple." He replied.

"Well, I've got some purple daises she might like. One second, they're in the back because I recently dyed them." I said, turning to grab the daisies.

I quickly collected fifteen into a bouquet style and wrapped them in white tissue paper before walking back out to where Lucas was waiting.

"They're perfect!" He exclaimed.

"Good, I'm glad you like them." I said.

"How much are they?" He asked.

"Um, nothing. I hope your mum gets better." I said, smiling.

"Thanks, I appreciate it." He said, smiling back. "I'll give you a call soon, okay?" He asked.

"Sounds good. Talk to you later!" I called, as he walked out the door.

I was glad that Bradley had encouraged me to talk to him, he obviously needed support and I couldn't wait to get to know him.

I realized that I hadn't watered the window plants yet, so I walked into the back to grab the watering can and went to water my plants when I saw, through the window, the woman that had kissed Bradley walking down the street, and into the shop. From what I could see, Bradley was standing at the counter and he did not appear happy to see her.