𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐝𝐞

ₒ𝚗ₑ

One - The Beginning

 I sigh sitting down in a cushioned furnished white wooden chair. Across from me sat an elder woman with salt and pepper hair, she looked to be in her late 50s. Jack took a seat after looking around the floral shop. The elder woman gave me a whole-hearted smile as she slides a thick plastic folder over to us "My flowers are fresh, they all have their natural scent, but I can add a floral spritzer to it if y'all'd like." she said, her tone held pure joy and she had a noticeable southern accent, she seemed content with her small little life. I wished I could be like that. Jack put his smooth tan hand on my exposed thigh giving me a smile "What would you like love?" he asked rubbing his thumb on my skin, it sent shivers down my spine, not the good kind. I hated his touch. It always struck fear in me, like he'd hit me if I made one wrong move, it was like walking on eggshells. I slowly moved my gaze back to the kind woman and point out the assorted mix of white and red roses with some pink/white faded anemone flowers, they fit together quite well, it was a stunning mix. I'd love to have it in my home, but not my wedding. If it were my choice, I wouldn't be having this horrid thing in the first place. The woman smiled and stood up, she was short, my height maybe smaller, she had a thicker build, she was thin but curvy per-se. She grabbed my hand in her wrinkling one and helped me up, she slid her arm through mine and walked us through bouquets. She hummed for a moment before grabbing out the right named flowers and handing them off to me letting my right arm go before walking over back to her desk. She noticed I hadn't followed and waved me over a warm smile on her round face. She grabbed the flowers from my arms and put them together tying the stems together by a thin silky red ribbon, "Would ya like some spritzer? Hm?" she asked kindly as she bent down pulling out a cute box that had all kinds of labeled spray bottles "Sure, surprise us." Jack said hooking his arm around my waist. She nodded about to do so when all of our phones, and the TV set above her went off, the TV displayed a national alert an automated voice telling the rolling message "It is now known that there is an unknown virus outbreak in Georgia, it's spreading quickly. Evacuation is mandated for anyone that lives near or in Georgia or Kentucky. Go to Atlanta safe zone. I repeat; Evacuation is mandated for anyone that lives near or in Georgia State or Kentuc-" the TV went black, shutting off. I looked from Jack to the woman who looked worried but not panicking "Y'all kids should get home, pack some things, if ya'd like y'all can have ma' number come stay at my husband's farm, not too far from here, not too many folks either. It'll be safe." she kindly offered wrapping the flowers in a clear plastic cover spraying them with a sweet smelling spritz. I go to accept her offer because it'd be helpful, and safe for Levi, but Jack cut me too it "No, no that's quite alright thank you ma'am, but we were already heading to my parents' house up north." he said, it was a lie, if not then I hadn't known. She gave us a nod and smiled at me, not him, it made me wanna laugh. Jack wasn't one for manners sometimes, my mom was a country woman, so my dad always let her speak for herself rather than what Jack just did, then again, she was a scary woman who could within a blink of an eye be void of all emotion. The woman grabbed both my hands in hers giving me a motherly look "Well honey you be safe out there, if we meet again, I hope your healthy and not sick, my names Patty in case ya didn't know." she said patting the tops of my hands with her left hand, giving her a nod, she incases me in a warm embrace. I returned it before she pulled away grabbing her dark brown worn purse and keys ushering us out.