Wicked Little Sins

Charley

Down the hall, Charley blindly felt around on her nightstand, locating her wrist watch to check the time. She was up before her alarm, giving her plenty of time to cook breakfast for everyone before she made the trip to the florist for the funeral flowers.

Her mother loved flowers with a passion she'd never seen before. She never understood why her mother hadn't pursued a career in botany rather than psychology.

While she pulled her hair back in a neat ponytail and got dressed, she decided she'd go for the flowers before making breakfast. Judging by last night's drinking, no one was going to be up for a while. She'd be able to go for flowers and be back before they even know she was gone.

She headed out the door, bounding down the stairs to her dad's truck. She knew he wouldn't mind if she took it for a little while, she thought, as she tried to put the key in the lock to unlock the door. The keys slipped from her grasp and dropped to the ground by her feet. It never ceased to amaze her the bad luck she had with locks.

Slipping his own keys out of his pocket, he watched closely as the familiar blonde bent over to retrieve something. His mind raced trying to figure out where he'd seen her before.

"Well, I'll be damned. The girl from the airport," he said to himself as the old truck rumbled past him. What a small world! She lived in the same neighborhood that his friends did.

Jumping in his car in a hurry to keep up, he pulled out of the driveway, taking it easy behind her.

A few minutes later she stopped at the curb in front of a flower shop, heading for the shop. He also stopped on the street, hopped out of the car, and began feeding change into a parking meter. He didn't want to appear to be a stalker, but thought he'd just walk into the shop as if he were there to buy flowers.

Charley sniffed at some lilacs, shaking her head in protest, they were not up to standard for her mother. She moved on to the next assortment--some beautiful red roses, morbid yet romantic. That's not what she was after at all. She wondered what her mom would have picked if she were with her, something light, delicate, and unique. Charley wasn't fond of flowers. She fancied leafy vines and willowy trees.

"Tulips are always nice," he said.

Charley looked up, surprised and pleased to see who that voice belonged to. She smiled, reaching her hand over the flowers to shake his hand.

"Charley," she said introducing herself. He was required to tell her his name now she thought.

"Adrian," he said, taking her hand firmly into his and shaking it. Charley could tell a lot from a handshake, and his was one of self-assurance and character.

"Now, that's a name you don't often hear," she said, impressed. She was intrigued by the sheepish grin that crossed his face.

"I always found it somewhat unappealing, doesn't feel all that masculine. So, tell me why you're in a flower shop buying flowers for yourself," he said.

Charley laughed out loud at his assumption.

Adrian watched her carefully as she continued laughing at him. He started to feel a bit foolish for asking such a thing. Who was he kidding? He didn't think she'd ever have to buy flowers for herself. He'd buy flowers for her every day given the opportunity. Still feeling foolish, he was ready to cut and run when her laughter was replaced with a serious look, near tears.

"They're for my mother's funeral," she spit out. It was the first time she'd said it out loud.

"I'm sorry," Adrian immediately said. She felt his words were genuine and was pretty sure he felt like a huge ass right now. What he didn't realize, though, is that he'd made her feel something other than sadness, even if it was for just a few seconds.

He nervously pulled at the flowers in front of him, looking upset. Charley tried to think of something to say to ease the awkwardness she knew he must be feeling.

"Did you have a pleasant trip?" she asked.

Adrian couldn't believe she hadn't stormed away from him and out of the flower shop. He hadn't meant to be unkind, he didn't know. He was impressed that she even thought to ask about his flight.

"Yes, the trip was decent, thanks for asking." He smiled.

"Well good, I'm glad," she said, going back to the flowers.

"I don't know what to say. I feel like a total moron. Do you have time to go for coffee? If that is totally off base you can slap me," he said, crossing his fingers for her to see. She lit up with a big smile, nodding her head yes. He sighed, relieved that he hadn't totally blown it.