And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom – Anais Nin
Pausing outside the florists to check the time, Eddie’s attention was caught by the display of sunflowers in the window. Big, bold and bright, the sign in the window encouraged him to have a sunshiny day. He was having quite a sunshiny day if he was honest with himself. Chris was messaging him regularly, his coffee was perfect, and Buck was meeting him at home later so they could cook dinner together. Without really thinking, Eddie found himself pushing open the door and stepping inside the store. The scent of green washed over him as he inhaled happily, colourful displays and dramatic sprays of flowers and foliage immediately transporting him away from a busy LA street. He returned the florist’s greeting distractedly, attention fixed on the sunflowers. They really were lovely. Reaching out a tentative hand, Eddie gently stroked a petal. They reminded him of childhood visits to Abuelo’s garden where they grew taller than him, bright against the side of the house.
“They’re lovely, aren’t they?” the assistant commented. “Would you like me to wrap some up for you?”
“Oh, no thank you,” Eddie replied, not even sounding convincing to his own ears.
“How about just one? I’m sure you have someone at home who’d appreciate a little colour.”
Eddie’s thoughts turned, unbidden, to Buck. Father Brian’s instruction to do something joyful floated across his mind. Buck would probably enjoy a sunflower, for no other reason than it would give him an opportunity to tell Eddie all about California’s sunflower growers, or the health benefits of seeds, or how tall the tallest sunflower grew. One sunflower would be lonely though.
“I’ll take three please,” Eddie found himself saying.
Back in the kitchen, Eddie realised that he had no idea if he owned a vase. Carefully laying his sunflowers on the table, he rooted through the cabinets. Coming up empty handed, he sighed then messaged Buck. Top shelf in the pantry, came the reply. Why do you need a vase? Eddie retrieved the vase from beside the rice cooker, sparing a moment to wonder when he acquired a rice cooker, filled it with water, then carefully arranged the stems. Once he was happy, he sent a photo to Buck in reply to his question. Pretty, Buck replied. Eddie stepped back to admire his new flowers. They were pretty.
