"Here you go!"

I grinned and held out the bouquet.

"Now these white tulips are for forgiveness, the yellow tulips are to show your feelings are true, the red camellias are for passion and love, and the lavender is to encourage calmness and serenity. If anything will convince her to forgive you, it's this." "You're a lifesaver Haru, thank you!"

"Any time! I'm always happy to help. But you know, remembering your anniversary in the first place would keep her happier than any apology bouquet."

"Don't I know it? Speaking of forgetting, I'm going to be late to meet her if I don't run. Thanks again!"

He laid his payment on the counter, grabbed the bouquet, and turned to run out the door.

"The lavender is for good luck, too!" I called after him, but he was already gone.

It's getting late, I doubt I'll have any more customers today.

I leaned against the counter, looking through my shop's front window onto the calm street. It's always so quiet when there are no customers. I've worked hard to cultivate a peaceful, cozy atmosphere here. My shop's front window faces west, so when the sun begins to set in the afternoon, the whole place is bathed in sunlight. The light had crept most of the way across the floor already. It was my favorite way to see the world, lit entirely in blazing orange and gold.

Nope, almost certainly not going to see more customers today, it's getting close to closing time. There aren't any more anniversaries until next month, as far as I'm aware. No one waits until this late in the day to celebrate a graduation. The old woman who runs the tea shop up the road usually buys herself some flowers for her birthday…isn't that coming up soon? Do I have enough of her favorite daisies to make a full bouquet?

I absentmindedly fingered the lace edge of the doily she knitted for me last year. It was to thank me, she had said, for always remembering to keep those daisies in stock. The doily lives on the shelf beside me, so that I never forget to order her flowers in time. The same shelf holds a tea cup, made for me by our local pottery 'expert'. The cup sagged on one side, and I'm not sure that it could hold any liquid, but it helps me to remember that he likes orange lilies the best.

His work has gotten better. I saw a few of his pieces at the market last weekend, and there were almost no sagging pieces at all. Almost.

The cup sits near a framed painting of the fields outside of town, painted by a man who said he was just passing through. He traded it to me for three wolfsbane flowers, not caring that they signified coming danger.

How is he doing these days? He hasn't visited again. Not that I blame him, there's not much here for the adventurous sort.

Behind me on the floor there's a well-used dog bed, for the dog of the girl who lives three streets over. He's an elderly mutt who looks like he has a lot of bloodhound in him. He got loose once and walked his way all the way to my shop, pushed the door open, and hid himself behind the counter all morning before she found him. We decided to give him a comfy space there, since he seemed to like it so much. She was learning to play the flute at the time, and he wanted a quiet place to nap. I think she said his name was Ren. He comes in about once a week to have a good, long sleep.

Yep, time to close up shop for the day. The light is getting dimmer, and I don't want to be out after dark. I'll simply have to order more daisies tomorrow if we're out, the old woman cannot be left without them. And I should clean that front window tomorrow when I get in. And...what is that boy doing out so close to nightfall?

Across the street from my shop was the edge of our town's graveyard. A lot of my sales are to people who decide to pop in and buy flowers for their loved one's resting place before visiting it. My shop's placement seemed to make sense when I set up here, but it's still so creepy being close to a place of mourning. Especially in dusk like this. I know I'm one of the few people these days who still fears demons, but I can't help but believe in them. Nothing good happens after nightfall.

Doesn't that kid know not to be out this close to sundown? Probably another one who doesn't believe demons exist. That's enviable, but it's a dangerous way to live.

I locked my shop's door behind me and walked across the street towards the child, pausing a row of headstones away. He sat on the ground with his arms wrapped around his knees. He was staring forwards, unblinking, not seeming to acknowledge the world around him.

It must be a recent loss. But I don't remember any burials this month, and no one has been in for flowers. Poor thing. Anyway, where are his parents?

I took a breath and smiled, trying to project confidence and helpfulness.

"Hello there! Are you alright? It's getting a bit late to be out here."

"OH!"

He jumped to his feet and stumbled backwards a few steps, nearly falling over the headstone in the row behind him. Beneath the expression of surprise, he looked sad.

Way too sad for someone that age. I know how that feels.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you coming. Sorry. I guess it is getting late, isn't it?"

"Hey now, no need to apologize. I am sorry for frightening you. I always worry about people staying out here at night, so I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Yeah, night time is when the demons are out."

Smart kid.

"That's right, kid."

"I should go now. I just really wanted to spend time with…"

He looked back at the headstone he was sitting at, as if he was considering sitting back down there instead of leaving.

"Tell you what, you head on home now, and next time you want to visit your loved one, you stop in at my flower shop." I pointed back towards my shop. The setting sun shone off the windows, lighting it like a beacon. It wouldn't last much longer.

"I'll let you pick any flower you'd like, okay? Just get home safe."

I smiled again, hoping the offer was enough to convince him to go home. He looked like he was going to start crying, but instead he took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders.

"Thank you very much, I'll be sure to do that."

He bowed, and left. I waited several seconds, until I was sure he was on his way and wasn't going to come back here, and then started towards my own home.