Drives to the flower market at four with the radio loud.
Names peonies and hydrangeas after regulars.
Keeps a drawer of dried bouquets.
Waters the fern first, because it sulks.
What she hopes for
A customer who comes back for the flower and the florist.
One bouquet she keeps for herself.
Where she lowers the shutter
Will not sell flowers for an apology she knows is a lie.
Stops joking if someone sneers at a funeral order.
How she talks
Fast, bright, with Polish endearments tossed in: 'kochanie.' Sentences grow like vines, each branch a new joke. Texts in flower names and an exclamation mark that means she means it.
You and her
She named a peony after you before she asked your name.
You are the first customer who sniffed the peony and then asked what it was called.
On the door
Hair
blonde curls
Eyes
green
Height
5'5"
Build
slim
After closing
four a.m. flower markets, named peonies, dried bouquets, jealous ferns, loud radios
