Connie’s shop was never a big money maker, but she met her expenses and even added a few bucks in our coffers over the years. I wasn’t concerned about whether she brought home a large paycheck; my sweetheart was happy and living a fulfilled life, so how could I complain?She seemed to take to being an entrepreneur as easily as she did to motherhood.
Everything’s Coming Up Roses was near a large hospital, so she received lots of drop-in business for bouquets for both ill patients and recent mothers. But Valentine’s Day was by far Connie’s busiest and most profitable time of the year. If fact, she would prepare for it weeks in advance.
I once asked her what she wanted for Valentine’s Day, and she said simply, “Help in the shop.” She told me that would be the most wonderful and romantic thing I could ever do for her, so that year, I took the day off to deliver bouquets – and from then on, a tradition was born.
When Kelsey was in elementary school, my mother used to babysit her on Valentine’s Day so I could devote time to Connie and the shop. My second year helping out, I returned to Everything’s Coming Up Roses after my last delivery to find the place closed and most of the lights out. I had a key and let myself in, then called for my wife.
“In here, honey,” I heard from the back room, so I moved into the shop after locking the door behind me.
I entered the office and was shocked by what I saw. Connie had spread a thick blanket across the floor and was lying upon it completely naked, like a nymph in the woods. Around her were scattered rose petals of all colors, their fragrance punctuating the air, while two candles burned nearby. She held out her hand and beckoned me forward. I sank to my knees next to her and she engulfed me in a loving embrace.
We made sweet love that evening on the office floor, an experience that was beyond perfection. I knew how much she loved her little store, so sharing intimacy in that setting was wonderful. I think we both felt a deep desire to please one another, so the moment was truly magical. The next few years, we happily re-enacted the scene with flower petals scattered around the room and candles burning brightly.
Kelsey assisted at Everything’s Coming Up Roses on Valentine’s Day when she was old enough to stay for the day without a sitter. She would help with the arrangements, while I would play delivery boy since I was of no use with the flowers otherwise. After all the craziness of the day, the three of us would stop for Chinese takeout on the way home, then we’d all sit on the living room floor and eat as a family before retiring to bed early. I greatly missed making love to my wife in her office as we had done years before, but our family time was every bit as special.
By high school Kelsey had grown into was the spitting image of her mother. She was an inch or two taller, but in most other respects appeared a carbon copy of the girl I met in college years before. They both had the same dishwater blonde hair and blue eyes, and given the way Connie had taken care of herself, to me they appeared more like sisters than mother and daughter.
wpDiscuz