Chapter 16
"I feel so helpless watching her like this," Kathryn said leaning over the counter to Margaret.
Three months had passed since Jack left for business. There were phone calls, and he sent gifts, but she missed him so much, she couldn't deny it.
"I'm getting angrier at Jack everyday," Margaret said as she set a box on top counter. "It seems like everyday that goes by she just sits and waits. I just wish he would come back soon," she remarked, placing her hand in her pockets. Kathryn gave a half smile and turn to Janet. Janet had tuned the women out, wanting nothing more that to reprimand them for bringing up Jack.
Earlier that month, Jack's restaurant had opened and everything was flawless, the only thing missing was Jack. Janet sighed heavily and removed her glasses, her eyes burned from all the reading.
"Umm, Janet?" Kathryn approached with an order form.
"More orders?" Janet asked reaching out her hand.
"Yes, well no, well, it's just one. One very large order." Kathryn handed the form to her. Janet read.
20 dozen roses / red
10 single bundles of 10
9 dozen / bundled
Leave the rest as they are
Address- 1783 NW Shaylen
From / Mr. Bradson
For / Mrs. Bradson
She sighed, "Well, I guess I'll get started."
Kathryn, Margaret, and Janet retrieved the flowers from refrigerator room. Janet began laying out what they needed. They stripped the flowers of their thrones. Kathryn bundled the small groups of roses while Janet and Margaret placed the singles into a small basket. About an hour later, they completed the order and loaded the flowers into Kathryn's car.
"See you tomorrow." Janet and Margaret said as they closed the doors.
"Bye girls." Kathryn drove off.
"1779...Ah there it is." Kathryn parked outside a tall Victorian home. It was light blue house with beige trim. Small bushes lined the walkway to a covers porch, with a swing in the far corner. Setting the flowers down, Kathryn reached for the doorbell. After a few moments, a small older woman answered the door with a smile.
"Mrs. Bradson?" Kathryn asked as the woman opened the door.
"Yes." She smiled to Kathryn. Kathryn smiled and presented the flowers to her. Welcoming the younger woman in, Mrs. Bradson led Kathryn to the kitchen. The house smelled of pumpkin and honeydew. She couldn't help but smile. Kathryn noted the arrangement of the living room furniture, perfect for a book club, she thought. The aroma of spaghetti and sauce filled the kitchen as it simmered in a pot.
"Just set them on the table. There's an envelope on the end table over there for you."
Kathryn set the flowers on the table and turn to find the envelope. She picked it up and placed it in her back pocket.
"I hope you enjoy these," she said as she turned to leave. Mrs. Bradson smiled and walked to the door with Kathryn.
"Don't worry she will." Mrs. Bradson closed the door. Kathryn stood there a second, completely dumbfounded, What?
"Nah," Kathryn waved it off, she was tired, her mind was playing tricks on her. She got in her car and headed home for much needed rest. But unknown to her, she had been watched from the very instant she had enter that house.
"You're a great actress." came a males voice as Mrs. Bradson stirred the sauce in the pan.
"You know how hard it is not to laugh," She looked over to the flowers. "You know you really out did yourself."
"I know, I always thought more was better." The man smiled into his words.
"You're something else."
"I'm something out of this world." He tasted the sauce.
"Yes you are, Jack," she laughed, "Yes you are."
He set two plates on the table, both filled with spaghetti and vegetables.
"Thank you for dinner, Jack."
"You're quite welcome Mrs. Bradson. It's the least I could do." He sat across from the older woman.
"Jack, if it's for Janet, I'd help in anyway I can. And how many times do I have to tell you, call me Karen." She smiled as she picked up her fork.
"Thanks again, Mrs. Br- Karen." Jack smiled as they began to eat.
After finishing their meal, Jack and Karen began working with the roses.
"I want some to be just petals, that way," Jack smiled shyly. Karen chuckled.
"I understand," Karen took a handful of roses and laid them on some tissue paper. She slowly wrapped the pink material around the roses and tied a white ribbon to hold it together. She held it up to Jack, who was busy gently pulling the petals off a dozen roses. His face lit up upon seeing what she had created.
"I love it. Do you think she will like these?" he held up the small bundle of ten roses. He had tied a small white ribbon around each one, each containing a number.
"She'll absolutely love them."