Control (Boyxboy)

Chapter Five: Roses

My job interview was weird. Not because I personally did anything bad or messed up, it was just that the boss, whom was a very nice middle aged lady named Mary, kept saying how much she wished I would date her daughter then would make a little joke I couldn't understand to the worker behind the counter. It was confusing.

I wasn't completely sure if I was going to get the job but guess being "extremely handsome" as she said, was working for me thus far. The funniest part was that we didn't even talk about the job, really. All she wanted to know was if I was in a relationship, was going to school, and what my family was like. Which was weird since I barley knew her.

I didn't answer two of those and only stuck to talking about school. She kept nodding enthusiastically like she couldn't be more happy to be talking to me(again which was weird).

We had been talking for such a long time that I didn't notice that it was getting late and we still hadn't talked about the actual job yet.

"We have a customer on the line wanting a bouquet of red roses, can you make one quick, Mary?" the girl behind the desk asked. Mary, the lady interviewing me, stood up saying a polite "yes" to the lady behind the counter before looking back at me.

"Come on Benji, let me show you how it's done."

"O-Okay, but I don't really know anything about flowers." I said. "I can clean and I know how to work a cash register."

"Oh please Benji, it's never too late to learn!" the lady made a bee line to the back and I was quick to follow on her heels.

Once we had entered the spacious area of the green house I was shocked at what I was seeing. Flowers ranging from size, color, and shape graced my eyes with glory. It was hard to believe that this place was smack dab in one of the busiest streets of the city. She put on a green apron like thing and I followed her actions in doing the same.

"Go over there and pick the prettiest roses you can find, be careful of the the thorns." she said.

"How many?" I asked.

"A dozen." she answered.

I turned to the area she directed me to go and I trudged forward toward the many dozens of flowers peeking out from the soil.  I grabbed what was known as the flower cutters and a pair of gloves from one of the metal carts laying around before I actually stopped in front of the patch of red roses. I was never a flower admirer but the way these roses looked astounded even me.  "Where do I cut it at?" I asked a little shakily.

"Go about a foot down, it's better to be longer than shorter."

"Okay." I mumbled suddenly nervous about cutting these pretty roses. Stupid as it sounded, what if I messed it all up and cut them too short and these flowers were no good? If I messed this up would I get the job still. I mean this is a flower place and I didn't know a damn thing about flowers. I pushed my nervous thoughts aside and took my time. My hands maneuvered through the thorns and stems, cutting off twelve flowers and laying them down on one of the carts. I wasn't sure if that was what I was supposed to do but it seemed easier that way.

I wheeled the cart over to the fine granite table she was stationed at, and stopped it in front of her. "Good job Benji, they look good." she complimented and I smiled. It felt good to be praised.

"Now I'll take over from here, just watch what I do." she said and I nodded keeping a close eye on her hands. The first thing she did was make sure all the stems were about the same length, next she cut off all the thorns so the customer wouldn't be poked, then she wrapped them all together in a green rubber band. Once they were done, she wrapped the bouquet in some white tissue paper before she smiled at her master piece.