Romantic One Shots & Imagines

One Shot #35: The Florist

     It should be known that this isn't how I planned for my Wednesday to go. It was just another Wednesday. Another day of fetching coffee, answering phone calls, organizing events, blah, blah, blah. It should be known that this all happened by accident.

     I was blessed with an actual lunch break this Wednesday, not my usual 30 second sit down in the women's bathroom. In fact, I had no idea what I should do with myself for the allotted time. Before I knew it, my feet was carrying me around town until I found a little park with a creek. I smiled at the ducks as they swam through the beautifully clear water. Following them was a small...something. I knelt down to get a closer look at the strange object. With closer inspection, I discovered it was rose; a lonesome white rose. It was clipped right at the top of the stem, leaving only the bud to float. I took off my heels and tried to get closer to the creek without falling in. I must have looked like a fool to passer-bys. Just out of my reach, the white rose swam past along with more ducks.

     I sighed in disappointment before I turned around. Bobbing gracefully in harmony were a dozen more rose buds coming down the stream. I gasped in astonishment. They were in a beautiful array of colors. Some red, some pink, some yellow, some white. I just sat there this time, enjoying the view. Minutes flew by as more ducks and roses made their way down the stream. They seemed never ending.

     As I clocked out of work, I thought back to my lunch break with a small grin. "Today was a good day" I thought to myself. The sun was setting and the wind was picking up. Getting home was my only goal...but the park with the creek is on my way to the bus stop. I convinced myself to stop by. Did I really still think that more flowers could be floating by? Yes, yes I did. My feet carried me to the park and did not rest until I was met with my former place beside the water.

     I stood there...and stood there. Many chilly moments flew by without a single rose. I clutched the collar of my coat closer as I started to make my way out. I walked along the creek toward the exit. With hope, I would glance back down every so often. It wasn't until I was a few feet away from the exit that I saw a tall man carrying armfulls of bouquets. They were bouquets of roses in all different colors. With a loud hoof, he sat them down and pulled out a pair of sheers. I pivoted and carefully climbed the bridge toward him. He was not bothered by my presence when I stopped next to him. In fact, if it wasn't for him starting the conversation, I would have figured that he didn't even notice me at all.

          "You know, most florists just throw their unwanted flowers away." He keeps his eyes locked on the rose. First, he cuts off the thorns and leaves. Then, bluntly he slices off the stem. "They're going to die anyway, just as the ones that were sold, but that doesn't mean they are any less beautiful."

           I nod. "So that was you? Do you usually do this?"

          "Yeah, when I have time. I like when people see them. It gives them something nice to look at as they pass by. Maybe something to brighten their day. Something to make them wonder..." He trailed off as he dropped another bud onto the creek. It splashed as it hit the surface. It twisted and wiggled until it caught the rhythm of the stream.

          "Thank you."

          "For what?" He looks at me for the first time.

          "For brightening my day. I don't get many chances to stop and smell roses..." We both chuckle at my pun. "It was beautiful." He bashfully smiles as he reaches for another flower. Surprisingly, he hands it to me. I take it gingerly from him, our fingertips lightly touching in the process.

          "I'm Paul, by the way." He introduces himself.

          "I'm Donna."

          "What are you doing tomorrow, Donna?"

          "You mean Valentine's day? Work then nothing."

          He chuckles at my bluntness. "They're showing a special black and white film at the drive in tomorrow night and...I was wondering...I mean I have an extra ticket---"

          "I'd love to go." I smile as I gaze back at him.

     I forgot how cold I was and as it got darker, we continued to talk and decorate the water's surface. It should be known that this was not how I planned on spending my Wednesday evening. I never had a date for Valentine's day before. I guess there's a first for everything.

                                                                       The End.

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PS: Happy Valentines Day