Arya scrubbed the window with her rag, ignoring the sharp pain radiating from her bruised wrist. There was just one more flower arrangement to be finished, then the floor had to be swept one more time before she closed the shop for the night.
She was tired, not from her long day, but from the thoughts of what awaited her when she got home. Arya would have made flower arrangements the entire night if it meant she didn't have to face the inevitable arguing, yelling, and then finally the crying (on her part).
In the back of the shop, Arya picked out the flower combination she had been imagining. A young man would be coming in a few minutes for a bouquet he had requested over the phone in a slightly frantic voice, and she would give him what he had asked for. He wanted to give his girlfriend flowers that said I'm sorry but also showed that he would value and respect her feelings and thoughts in the future. Arya smiled slightly as she put together blue hyacinths, white orchids, spring crocus, and white tulips. When she handed it to him later, it was with a warm but slightly reproachful look in her eyes.
"I don't want to see you back here asking for an apology arrangement again Peter"
He had the sense to look chastised and grateful as he accepted the flowers and paid. She would not pry and ask what he had done, but she was glad to assist in the couple's reconciliation in the small way she could. Shaking her head in exasperation at Peter's (slightly hunched in shame) receding back, Arya swept up the remaining flower stems littered around the work area and the dried dirt from muddy snow-covered shoes treading in throughout the evening.
Arya shuffled her way up the creaky stairwell, now carefully balancing a porcelain tea set on a tray decorated in a delicate floral pattern. She knocked on the pale pink door at the top to announce her presence, an unnecessary courtesy considering the volume of the stairs. Carefully nudging it open with her hip, Arya entered the home of the owner of the floral shop. An older woman who had always treated her as her own.
"Mrs. Parker?" She called out, setting the tray on the coffee table by the faded couch (also decorated with flowers).
"Over here dear. I told you to call me Margaret" came the cheerful reply from the kitchen. Mrs. Parker stepped out into the living room with a smile, a graying picture of warmth and hospitality in her light yellow cotton dress, slippers, and apron. It almost made Arya's eyes water.
"I've closed everything down for the night Mrs. Par - erm - Margaret, and I've brought you some tea" Arya smiled fondly at the woman who had become like family to her.
Mrs. Parker glanced at the tea tray, seeing only one cup. "You aren't staying to keep your lonely old friend some company over tea?"
"No no I would love to but I have to get home... you know, Allen..." Arya rubbed her wrist subconsciously with a nervous giggle "I don't want to keep him waiting"
"Arya..." Mrs. Parker sighed heavily, eyes trained on the girl's wrist. "That boy doesn't deserve an ounce of your endless care and patience." She was a very calm person, generally, and didn't usually get angry at all. But when it came to the pain of people she cared about deeply, she was a fearsome creature to oppose. Mrs. Parker took a few shuffling steps forward, with purpose, gently picked up both of Arya's hands, and drew back both sleeves before she could protest. Fresh angry purple and blue welts littered the delicate skin of her wrists. Margaret hissed out a breath, enraged at the man who dared lay his hands on a woman and manipulate her every thought and action like he continuously did. Her eyes filled with angry tears.
Arya stepped back quickly, pulling her hands out of the woman's loose grasp. "No please don't cry Margaret. I can't bear it. Don't worry, I'm ok really. I owe him so much and he takes care of me. You know that he was there for me during what I went through with my dad and everything after. I don't have anyone else, besides you of course." She smiled ruefully then and took a steadying breath. "I...I really do have to get going now. Have you eaten? Don't forget to eat tonight. I will see you tomorrow." Before Mrs. Parker could even open her mouth, Arya turned around and was out the door and down the stairs in a matter of seconds. The quiet ping of the doorbell as she exited the shop echoed in Margaret's ears.
"Allen? I'm home, I picked us up Chinese on the way here."
"Anything interesting happen at work today?" His voice sounded calm, disinterested from the kitchen. Arya knew better.
"Just Margaret"
"Oh we're on first name bases now are we"
"Ms. Parker means no harm Allen, you know that. She's a good friend and a kind employer"
"Nosy old bat. I don't want her prying into our business, do you hear me?" He strode over to where Arya stood by the door, snatching the bag of takeout from her hand. "If she asks questions just tell her to stay out. I know she's been sniffing around our neighborhood lately. If she keeps on, you won't be working there in the future. That's for sure"
Afraid of the anger he had been displaying at everyone and everything lately, Arya simply nodded her head weakly in a futile effort to placate him. "Ok Allen."
