Flowers for Lauren

Flowers for Lauren


Pulling her SUV into the circle drive, Aidan shifted into park and slumped against the leather headrest. With a weary sigh, she pressed fingertips to her temples in an attempt to relieve the tension. She loved her job as a floral designer, but since opening her own business a year ago she had come to understand the reality of the pressures of being the “boss”. 

A big part of her job was working with brides, and although rewarding, Aidan always found it very stressful. Unfortunately, this afternoon’s last client certainly fell under the description of “bridezilla”. Indecisive and demanding, the spoiled young woman wanted everything, and she wanted it her way with no regard for the guidelines required for such an elaborate event.

Shrugging her shoulders to work out the tightness in her muscles, Aidan shook her head with a wry smile and allowed herself a moment of pity for the bridegroom. Finally, pulling the keys from the ignition, she grabbed her shoulder bag and climbed the steps to her brick home.

The aroma of garlic and herbs greeted her as she closed the door and dropped her belongings on the entryway table. “Smells delicious, Molly!” she called out. From the direction of the kitchen came a cheery laugh. Her housekeeper of several years was in her element when whipping up traditional Italian dishes, and she was forever urging Aidan to eat more.

Kicking off her heels, Aidan made her way across the cool, ceramic tile with bare feet.  “What’s on the menu?” she asked, inhaling appreciatively. Molly looked up from chopping a pile of fresh basil. Tomato sauce splattered her apron in random patterns that told of her exuberance when it came to cooking.

“It’s lasagna tonight, honey!” she said enthusiastically. “With full fat ricotta, mind you!” With a wink she bustled to the stove, depositing the basil in a vat of simmering sauce. Giving the pot a quick stir, Molly turned back to Aidan, wiping her hands on her apron. “So, what craziness did you have to deal with today?”

Aidan rolled her eyes as she poured a cup of coffee from the freshly brewed pot on the counter. “Well, today was the deadline for delivery of lilies to do centerpieces at the Franklin anniversary gala, and of course they didn’t show up. After two hours on the phone I finally tracked them down, but now the staff is stressed over running behind in putting the arrangements together.”

Molly nodded silently, continuing her work as she listened to the now all-too-familiar story of fiascoes at the flower shop. Aidan took a swallow from her cup.

“Then I had the bride from hell who wants a $20,000 floral package on a $5,000 budget. I have tried to give her options for compromise, but she is so stubborn. I am almost ready to fire myself from doing her wedding!”

Molly chuckled and slid a plate of sugar cookies toward Aidan. “Comfort food, dear. It helps every time.”

Eyeing the goodies skeptically, Aidan decided she agreed this time, and popped the smallest one in her mouth. She closed her eyes and relished the sweetness as it melted on her tongue.  “One reason I opened my own shop was because I wanted to feel like I was a part of those special moments in people’s lives. You know what I mean, don’t you, Molly?”

“Of course, honey! We all want to make a difference in someone’s life, even if it is only for a moment. So, what is it that is making you feel discouraged?”

Aidan sighed, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the counter. “It’s just that I see a lot of selfishness and extravagance for the sake of looking good to other people. Brides tend to be cocky and self absorbed. Socialites shell out thousands for brunch arrangements to impress their friends, and husbands only buy flowers for their wives to make up for doing something wrong!”

Hands gesturing emphatically, she continued, “Where’s the romance? Where is the compassion and sentiment? No one seems to care anymore. Maybe I shouldn’t take it so much to heart, but I wish I could get an order to do something really special; an arrangement that truly has meaning!”

Deciding that she had vented to Molly enough for one day, Aidan kissed the older woman’s lilac scented cheek and ran upstairs to change clothes. Muttering to herself as she pulled her favorite sweatshirt over her head, she mused. “I think tonight I am just going to relax, have a good dinner and forget about work. I might even pop in a DVD later; something with Vin Diesel, maybe.”  Grinning at the thought of that guilty pleasure, she was relieved to feel some of the tension ease away.

                                             


Aidan was halfway through a generous portion of Molly’s savory lasagna when her cell phone began to buzz insistently. Quickly wiping her mouth with a napkin, she jumped up to retrieve it from her purse.  “Hello? Yes. What? Oh no!”

Hearing the despair in Aidan’s voice, Molly peeked her head out of the kitchen. Immediately, she noticed the slump in Aidan’s posture and went quickly to lay a comforting hand on her back. “Yes, yes. I will come take care of it myself. Yes, whenever you need me. Thank you for calling. I am so sorry!” She turned to face Molly, tears glistening on her lashes.

“What is it, dear? What’s happened?”

Aidan wiped away the moisture on her cheeks and drew a ragged breath as she sank into a chair. “That was my assistant, Mia. Her niece was killed this morning on the way to school by a drunk driver.”

Molly’s hand flew to her throat. “Oh, Lord Jesus, have mercy! That poor family! What a tragedy to lose a child in such a horrible way!”

Aidan nodded silently, still stunned by the news.  “I guess she was just waiting at the bus stop when a truck lost control and veered onto the sidewalk. They say she was probably killed instantly. I don’t know how Mia is holding it together!” She rubbed her jaw thoughtfully, concerned for her co-worker. “The family wants me to personally design the casket spray. I know I was wishing I could fill orders that had real significance or sentimental value, but I never imagined anything like this!”

                                                         


Mia was waiting with her brother and sister-in-law when Aidan arrived at the flower shop the following afternoon. The three of them were huddled on the couch in Aidan’s office talking quietly and utilizing the box of tissues conveniently placed on the coffee table.

They all stood to greet her as she entered and introduced herself. Mia acquainted her with Brian and his wife, Elise who both clasped her hand briefly as she spoke. “I am so sorry about your daughter. Please, be assured that I will do everything I can to make this arrangement special in her honor and memory.”

Brian cleared his throat awkwardly and wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulders protectively. “Thank you so much. Mia told us she trusted you to create something as beautiful as our Lauren.”

Mia stepped forward and threw her arms around Aidan, whispering in her ear. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to them, and to me.”

A few minutes later they were all settled with steaming cups of tea and a stack of sample albums. Elise reverently passed a handful of photos to Aidan. “This is our baby,” she said in a shaky voice. Silently, Aidan flipped through the photographs, nodding. The child depicted there was a freckle-faced six-year-old with honey brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes. The most recent photo revealed two missing teeth, adding even more charm to the girl’s sweet smile.

Elise sipped her tea slowly, as if drawing strength from the herbal brew. “Her favorite color was green. She loved Curious George and wanted to be a cake decorator when she grew up. The kitchen was always a mess with food coloring and icing….” Her voice trailed off and she looked imploringly at her husband.

“What we were hoping,” Brian added quickly, “was for a casket spray that would incorporate some of the things that Lauren loved the most. We realize it might not be the most traditional route, and I hope this isn’t asking too much, but our little girl was unique and we want people to remember how wonderful she was.”

Placing the photographs on the table in front of her, Aidan leaned forward with a gentle smile for both the grieving parents. “Tell me every amazing thing you can think of about Lauren, and my staff and I will create something that embodies the very essence of who she is in your hearts.”

                                                                 


The chapel was filled with fragrant blossoms in pale yellow and violet. Everywhere one looked, there was ivy and delphinium in varying shades of green and cream. Yellow and green satin streamers waved gently in the breeze wafting through the open windows, and an extremely unconventional choir of five and six-year-olds proudly belted out Sunday school songs slightly off key.

Aidan stood at the back of the church, observing as the small space welcomed more and more visitors who had come to honor Lauren’s memory. The little church seemed as if it would burst from the number of people that continued to arrive.

Near the altar was a small casket hewn from the wood of a walnut tree and polished to a mirror-like shine. Next to it stood a framed copy of the picture showing Lauren’s wide, toothless smile in all its glorious goofiness.

Across the top of the casket had been placed the most important piece of work Aidan had ever had the honor of creating. The multi-colored flowers had plenty of greenery intertwined, and all throughout the floral arrangement had been tucked and tied little sentiments in memory of the things Lauren treasured.

In the center was nestled a stuffed “Curious George” monkey, and a little girl sized apron was carefully folded under one corner with it’s colorful strings winding through the ivy. A basket filled with miniature baking utensils rested at the far end of a cluster of daisies, and green crayons were randomly scattered all through the leaves, as if offshoots of a magical, flowering vine.

With great effort, Aidan swallowed a lump in her throat and turned her attention to the mourners that filled the chapel. She was surprised to see her "bridezilla" sitting in a chair with her arm linked tightly through her fiance's. Her eyes were luminous with tears and she spoke softly, gazing up at her husband-to-be.

It was at that moment that Aidan realized the truth about the young bride. She wasn't rigid and demanding as a result of character flaws as much as she was terrified of losing what was important to her. In her mind, the answer was in making sure everything was perfect, and the result was her reputation for being difficult.

The floral designer re-focused her attention on another group, recognizing one of the local society matrons who hired her regularly to design for lavish luncheons and tea parties. For the first time, Aidan saw her in a new light. Her gaudy jewels had been traded for a single strand of conservative pearls, and rather than chattering incessantly about the latest gossip as she was prone to do, she softly gathered her grandchildren to her side and caressed their hair with a gentle thoughtfulness.

Aidan’s eyes drifted towards Brian, Elise and the relatives gathered together in support of one another. Shock had since worn off, and grief was the obstacle they had to face now. Yet, she noticed that in the midst of tears, there was laughter. As Lauren’s name fell lovingly from the lips of those who had known her best, it seemed that the light of her spirit brought tiny particles of joy to the room.

Mia waved to her from across the chapel and pressed her hands to her heart with a bob of her head, showing her gratitude for Aidan’s contribution.  Then, there was a touch at Aidan’s elbow. She turned to see Molly dressed in a vibrant purple dress, fully prepared to celebrate a life rather than mourn a death.

“So, my dear,” she began, softly. “I do believe that your wish came true. What more meaningful project could you be involved in than something that helps a family and community remember the beauty of a child?”

“Oh, Molly,” replied Aidan. “It’s so much more than that. Even though I never met her, Lauren taught me that no moment should be wasted. True meaning and feeling can be found in every situation. Sometimes the beauty is buried deep, but if we care enough to truly look, we will have the eyes to see it.”


Featured in Shadows: A Paper Doll Gang Publication Volume 1, Issue 2

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