And away we go.
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Ch.5 Case of the missing keys -

"My flower shop? What would you like to know, sir?" I tried, politely as possible.
"I would like to purchase a rose for my mother this Valentine's Day, and need to know the time your shop opens, and also the days that it opens." He commanded directly.
'Awwww, how sweet.' I thought dazily 'I want kids that would do that for me'
"Ma'am?"
"Oh, yes. We open at 7:00 a.m and we're open Monday through Thursday. Is that all you would like to know?" I asked, trying to hurry the conversation to avoid this person I felt I knew, and also get back to my cookies.
"What species of roses do you carry? I'm looking for a specific type."
"Species?" I asked confusedly. I had never been asked what 'species' of flowers the shop carried.
"Well...alot. We have a special catalog dedicated to the roses we carry. You could look through when you stop by if you like. I could give you one personally, they're my favorite flower." I beamed proudly over my knowledge of our store, how little it may be.
"That would be fine. I'll stop by 7:00 a.m this Monday..." He paused "They're my favorite flower, too." All I heard was 'beep' after that. I truly felt certain that I knew that voice from somewhere.
"Riku? Who was on the phone?" Sicune called from her bedroom.
"Oh, just a customer." I called back.
"Oh. That's unusual." She replied sarcastically.
I sighed at her mean comment, and retreated to the couch to munch on my breakfast. I starred intently at the television set, trying to pass away the ample time I had at my oh-so-sleepy fingertips.

Monday-

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP... I reached over sleepily and turned off the alarm clock. I stood up, and walked over to my closet mirror. My hair frizzed out in clumps at least an inch away from my head, and my clothes were wrinkled this way and that from heavy sleep. My cheeks were stained light pink, and my eyes were cloudy. Yep, the look of a true super model.
I grabbed a silver brush and stroked my hair gingerly, going through each tangle like pushing a boulder up a hill. Slow effort.
I pulled my work clothes, a plain white long-sleeved shirt, a pair of bell-bottom blue-jeans, and a dark gray apron off their rightful hangers and into my hand. I pulled my sleeping gown over my head and to the floor. I made a slow and winning struggle to get my unmentionables on, and pull my work clothes over them. I overlooked my reflection in the mirror, slightly agreed with it, and made my way to the kitchen to fetch something to eat. I pulled a can of low mein from the kitchen cabinet, and popped it in the microwave. I waited for the dinger to tell me it was done, and poured the delectable into a plastic bowel. As I blew the steam from the top of the bowel, I heard soft footsteps approach from behind me.
"Your going to be late again." I told Sicune. She grunted at me.
"What are you eating?" She asked me.
"Low mein, with a few vegetables. Why?"
"It smells good." She mumbled. I turned to face her while still blowing my noodles. Her appearance shocked me. Her hair was matted, and dark circles engulfed her eyes. VERY unusual for my favorite fashion diva.
"Are you O.K?" I asked with concern. She paused, thinking about it.
"Just a little...warm. That's all."
I walked over to her (after setting the bowel down) and placed my hand on her forehead. I instanly jerked it away.
"Sicune, your burning up! Go lay down and I 'll give you some medicine. I'll call you in sick today."
"But Riku..." I gave her a stern look that cut her sentence short, and she quickly obeyed me. I looked through the kitchen and grabbed her some ibuprofen, then called the fashion industry she worked for.
It was now 6:45.
'Oh no, I'm 'gunna be late!' My mind screamed. I quickly took care of Sicune's needs, and gave her my work number. I ran out the door,
and down the streets.
'Man, I have a customer coming in afew minutes! Just a little further...' My feet wanted horribly to stop, but I kept running. I finally made it through the minature parking lot in front of the shop, and made it to the old fashion door,...,just to see the customer standing there in a big, brown coat. I could see the breath freezing in front of them, I could see that they were EARLY, I could the calmness in their face, I could see..."Gasp!"
"Hello. Didn't expect to see you here, Riku. How are you?"
"Hi, I'm fine...How are you?" I choked out, the cold air making my cheeks swell with red,..., or was I blushing?
"Fine. I didn't know YOU were the Riku that worked here. You like flowers alot?" He asked pleasantly.
"Yes. Let me get us out of the cool air." I went to take the keys out of my apron, the ones that open my house AND my store. They weren't there. That's where I ALWAYS keep them! OH NO!
"Something wrong?" The terror must've swept my face, because he was trying to tell why I was making the face I was making. I blushed.
"My keys...they're not here...I left them at my house." I stammered.
"Oh." He paused like he did before he left me on the phone"Would you like me to escourt you to go get them?" He asked in a gentlemen-like way.
"Sure...This way." I replied oddly.
We walked up the street, all the way back to mine and Sicune's home. Not a word was said.
I knocked on our door. No answer. I knocked again. Still, no answer. I knocked a third time, and still, STILL, no answer. I began to get frustrated, also embrassed. What was I supposed to do?
"Is the door locked?" He asked. I gave him an odd look. I was sure I had locked the door before I left,but , how could I when I didn't have the keys? I groaned. Could today possibly get any worse?
We went through the 'unlocked' door, and into my bedroom. I must've turned the place upside down three times over, with no keys in hand. I was coming out from under my bed, when the day turned two times worse. This happened when my pants pocket caught onto a lose bed spring that was sticking out. My pants were Ripping open.
I let out a startled cry, and tried to free myself, not proving to successful.
"Here, let me help." I heard Suiichi say as he took hold of the spring. He carefully held the pocket of my RIPPING pants, and instructed me to stay still. He tugged at the fabric professionally, until they were pried off the spring. Guess what happened next?
Cher-ka-ching!
We both looked curiously at the floor. My keys had fallen out of my pocket! I groaned again. This would be a LONG day.
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R&R!