Life is unpredictable. Something these 30-somethings are currently learning. Men may come and go but hopefully, their friendship will get them through any setback.
Insecure meets Golden Girls.
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Autumn loved the sporadic, unpredictability of life. Surprise birthday parties and 'just because I was thinking of you gifts' brought her unlimited joy. Three years ago she prayed, wished, and hoped life would be routine and mundane. Her desires weren't granted. She spent that Spring organizing her husband's homegoing instead of celebrating their second wedding anniversary. Once his urn was placed on the mantle in the house they planned to start a family time moved on, all the people that celebrated his life left her behind in a well of despair. She was planted in the past, unable to shift to the final step of grief. Calculations and numbers didn't enthuse her so she quit.
She needed to remember life could be beautiful again. A dandelion sprouting through the crack of a sidewalk reminded her. It took another spring for her to accept losing the man that was a friend and a lover since the age of twenty-five. Hands deep in soil, potting plants, creating bouquets that resembled a rainbow after a sunshower she was remade into the person she was today. Four years ago she didn't think she'd ever genuinely smile again. She thought wrong. She'd do more than smile. She'd beam with joy.
"We have another one," Jade said, handing her cousin the slip of paper she ripped from the pad that donned the insignia of Floral Passion. "Isn't wedding season supposed to be over."
Autumn shook her head reading the list, "Not until October. But love can't be confined to a twelve month schedule. Love is as boundless as the ocean, like—"
Jade cut her off, "Save the metaphors for the card."
"You mean simile." Spencer chimed in, surveying the sticks of chalk in the bucket, determining which one he wanted to use.
"Anyway." Jade continued not paying him any mind. "You are a lover of love, correct?"
"Yes." Autumn typed the pastel green apron around her waist wondering where the twenty year old was going with the line of questioning.
"And everyone deserves to be loved, right?"
"I do." Autumn answered no longer unsure where the line of questioning was going and she didn't want to go there. So, she did what any sane person would do. Switch the conversation to someone else. "Spence, you didn't text last night. Did the date go well? You found your Jane?"
Spencer made a face, "She was precarious."
"Is that a good thing...or bad?" Jade asked, then batted her question away with her hand. "Not important. Tommi, I have a friend."
"That's good, Jade. Everyone should have friends." Spencer decided on the blue chalk. "I didn't text because I was busy."
"Keep that." Jade said. "We don't need to know about your sex life."
Spencer shook his head. "Wasn't going there. I don't speak about sex around children." Jade flicked a rose leaf at him and Autumn chuckled at their antics. They weren't related but acted like siblings.
