The Day the Flowers Died by Ami Blackwelder Read Free Book Online Page A

sink, soaking with water.
    “Wow, what a mess,” Eli chuckled realizing the grand project
he’d just entered.  “When you said repotting some flowers, I
envisioned a small venture.” Rebecca laughed at how little he knew
of her love for gardening.
    “It won’t take too long,” she reassured.
    “It’s no problem, really.  I didn’t have any other plans
for the rest of the day…or for the week, if it takes that long,”
Eli joked, walking to the sink to examine the flowers.  “You
have an assortment here.”
    “Though winter, a few of the flower shops still hold a variety
and I collect them from wherever I can. They bring life to the
room, you know?”
    Eli’s fingers tarried over a tulip in the sink and he pulled it
out to show her.  “I see the Cornflower I brought you is still
alive.  That must be a good sign.”
    “Yes, it is.” Rebecca handed Eli a pot and pointed to the bag of
soil on the floor.  “You can start with refilling this
one.  The potted flowers are in this corner of the kitchen.”
She went to the box of flowers sitting in soil on top of the
kitchen counter.  “And the ones in the sink will be put in
vases with new water and nutrients.”
    Eli scurried to the box on the counter and peeked inside in
awe.  “Where do you find all of these?”
    “At a few of the local shops, but many I find outside the city
where my parents live.”
    Eli lifted a few Gerber Daises out of the sink, delicately
washing between the petals and refilling their vases with
water.  He then took a handful of nutrients from her bag and
sprinkled it inside the vase.  Next, he arranged the
assortment of white Edelweiss, bright blue Cornflowers, and purple
Spindles, and placed the vase on top of her cabinet next to a
picture of a mother cuddling a baby.
    “Who is this?” He tried to contain his joyful surprise upon
discovering something new about her.  “Is this you?”
    Rebecca sped across the room to defend her turf.  “Well, if
you must know, this is Mutti holding me when I was a baby.”
    “Your mama, the woman I’ll meet at the Christmas Eve
dinner?”
    “And my papa’s picture is here.” Rebecca lifted the photo of her
father standing under a tree with a book in his hands.
    “Where was this taken?”
    “Switzerland.  Just after my high school graduation. 
It is the last photo I have of all of us.  Perhaps at
Christmas we can take another with you?” she asked.
    “I’d be honored, and I’ll drive us up so that you don’t have to
worry about it.”
    “That would be nice and you can also show off your car to my
parents.” She quirked her brows.
    “It’s not anything notable.  I’m still saving up for a more
reliable car.”
    “Still, at least you have a car and in a time when many don’t
even have work.”
    “I’m glad you’re so easy to please.” He tickled her on her
ribs.  She grabbed her side and, when she tried to tug Eli’s
hands away, his fingers intertwined with her own.  Eli pulled
her hands up to his face and then her fingers wiped over his lips
holding a touch of soil in the corner.  Her gaze caught his,
her long lashes touched his, and their noses brushed as their lips
found comfort in one long, delicious moment.
     
     
    Thursday, December 24, 1931
    Christmas Eve: The Baum house was decorated in keeping with
their Christmas tradition with lush fake flowers and vines winding
up and through the metal gates. Ornate lights hung high on the
house roof eaves and around the doors. Shoveled snow lined the
street and the walkway leading to the front door. The two story
house reached far from one side of the property to the other as if
two homes had been fused to make this one magnificent spectacle.
Evergreens wrapped in snowy ermine shawls marched up the driveway
in majestic elegance.
    When Eli stopped his beat-up Audi at the front gate, he knew he
should have bought a BMW, even though he couldn’t afford it at the
time.  First impressions went a long way in this