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It was two days after a popular name day and the young florist still had trouble adjusting back to regular life.
He loved those days when the queue to his counter reached far beyond the entrance door. Composing one bouquet after another gave him immense pleasure when he had to fight an unfair battle against the rising pressure from the awaiting customers, which he balanced with the satisfaction from those who have already been served.
People told him frequently that he is well-organized. His secret was finding additional duties – a sense of upcoming danger helped him get everything in order.
Why did such a thrill-seeker choose to work at a flower shop? Hard to tell. Without a doubt tho, Jesse loved his job.
Maybe except on days like this one. The flattened emotions right after the recent busy period felt painfully annoying. The narrow interior of the store was jarringly empty without the constant presence of customers. Jesse needed all his willpower to avoid staring at the door, knowing too well that he won't find anyone in there.
To avoid disappointment, he decided to focus entirely on taking care of the plants. It might not have been the most absorbing of tasks, but at least he had something to do.
Eager for a challenge Jesse pulled a few potted rubber plants from the corner and put them on the counter. The tall plants had plenty of leaves that could use some dusting. A task tedious enough to keep him occupied for the rest of the day.
Ficus elastica. A damn ficus. The most common, plain houseplant. How low can one fall after a whole busy day of picking bouquets individually to the tastes of people whom he will most probably never even meet.
A thunder was heard. Even the weather on that day was more interesting than the florist's duties. Grumpily, he kept wiping dust off one leaf after another, trying not to think about all the bouquets he could have been arranging today.
He didn't notice when a customer appeared in the shop. The rain pouring loudly drowned out his movements, and Jesse was practically invisible behind the ficus plants. What is more, due to the raging storm the newly arrived didn't want to hurry with the purchase, temporarily protected from soaking while under the roof of the cozy store. For a few minutes both gentlemen stood on opposite sides of the counter completely unaware of each other's presence.
Finally the slightly confused customer leaned over the counter. “Excuse me?” he shouted, trying to get the attention of the staff.
Jesse screamed in surprise. He hoped the customer didn't hear that, as at the same time a lightning struck nearby, but the other man has already spotted him.
“What a storm, huh?” the customer tried to chat in a polite tone. Maybe he felt guilty for screaming right into the florist's ear.
The seller instantly stood behind the register. “It's been a while since we had something like that. How can I help you?” Inside, he was praying to be allowed to arrange even one little posy.
His hope was fueled by the customer's appearance: a suit and carefully styled hair suggested he's on his way to some elegant party. If only he doesn't decide to take the easy way and pick a premade basket...
“I'd like some flowers. For a gift. Maybe a bouquet.”
Jesse would do a little happy dance if it wasn't rather unprofessional. He started asking enthusiastically for details. “What kind of event is that, if I may ask? Is the gift for a woman, or maybe for a gentleman?”
Suit guy seemed surprised that he needs to share so much. Like most customers, when he asked for flowers, he expected to just get flowers. “A man,” he declared dryly, but quickly added, “It's for my boss. We're celebrating that one award and decided with the whole crew to buy a bouquet.”
The florist nodded. His guest didn't seem accustomed to flower shops and behaved rather nervously. It could be that his colleagues decided for him that he will buy the bouquet on behalf of the whole group. Who knows, maybe the atmosphere at work wasn't the healthiest and he would rather avoid gifting anything. Finding the right arrangement under such circumstances wasn't an easy task. Jesse couldn't wait.
“I can recommend a few different bouquets, depending on how elegant the gift is supposed to be, what kind of impression you all want to make... Can we start with the more refined ones?”
This amused the customer. “No, my boss isn't exactly the elegant type. We're a close-knit team and I don't want to look too pretentious with those flowers, you know?”
“Understood.” Clear requirements, that's a good thing. Jesse already had a general idea for the arrangement. He walked towards the vases with cut flowers. “Let's pick something pleasant to look at, but not too unusual. Any preferences for the colors?”
“Sir, I can only recognize three colors: black, white and colorful... Let's make it colorful.” He thought for a moment. “But maybe without green, that could bring bad associations.”
“No green, sure. Maybe let's start with something classic. Gerbera, here you go. I'd suggest yellow, as a sign of friendship and happiness.” The seller started forming a bunch.
The customer watched him deeply surprised. “Damn... they look like a cartoon.” He laughed awkwardly. “I'm sorry, I had no idea real flowers can look like that. I drew something similar as a kid.”
Honest and open. It's rare to talk to a stranger who wouldn't hide behind a mask. Jesse smiled widely and started explaining. “Gerberas don't grow in our climate, they originate in South Africa. Indeed, they look quite specifically.”
“Cool. For real, they're awesome. Boss is a bit of a comedian, I'm sure he will have a good laugh at this. But what did you say about the happiness...? I'm not sure boss will get that, he's not exactly interested in all the flower languages and stuff.” He noticed the florist turned slightly gloomy. The customer looked again at the gerberas, then looked around and continued, “I doubt anyone in the crew knows anything about it. If you explain it to me now, I could repeat it later and impress them. I don't want them to think I'm just some mindless errand boy.”
He looked at the florist with anticipation. The latter immediately regained his spirits and gestured at the bunch he was holding.
“Gerbera. A symbol of joy and cheerfulness. Perfect choice for celebrating some happy occasion, which, I assume, is what's happening.”
“Exactly.” agreed the customer.
Jesse walked a few steps and reached for delicate yellow flowers resembling lilies. “Next I'd add alstroemeria, to make it more interesting.”
“Astro... Oh, I'm afraid I won't be able to repeat that.”
“Alstroemeria.” The florist explained the flower with patience and passion. “On the one hand it represents friendship and mutual support, on the other – achieving one's goals, prosperity and wealth.”
The customer nodded with seriousness, trying to remember everything. Meanwhile the florist already started adding further stems to the bouquet.
“Carnation, a classic one. It might stand for admiration, good fortune and gratitude. I recommend orange, as a sign of community, support and growth.”
“But why not yellow, like the rest?” asked the guest surprised.
The florist raised his finger in warning.
“When it comes to carnations, yellow means regret and disappointment!”
“Oh dear!” shouted the man with surprise. “Those flowers can get so complicated.”
Jesse walked past the customer to get to the roses, which were placed next to the entrance. He realized that the storm has passed as quickly as it started. In front of the door one sole car was parked, most probably belonging to the served man. He didn't seem to be in a hurry at all, so the host kept enthusiastically explaining the language of flowers.
“Orange rose can represent close friendship, energy and enthusiasm. They are frequently gifted to say congratulations or thanks.”
“That's exactly what I had in mind!” said the customer happily.
The satisfied florist started adding finishing touches to the bouquet. He included a few leaves and other decorations. The customer watched him closely, lost in thought, until he asked hesitantly:
“Could you still add something more?”
Jesse immediately stopped. “Of course. Do you have something specific in mind?”
The other man pointed at one of the vases. “These ones... Sunflowers? I think they look cool. If they won't ruin the concept, maybe you could add a few?” He seemed a bit embarrassed, as if worried that his idea might come off as very rude.
Slightly surprised, the florist started explaining: “Sunflowers, the flowers of shine and joy, symbolize loyalty and admiration.” He approached the vase chosen by his customer. “I think they fit perfectly.”
The customer smiled, relieved. Jesse quickly completed the arrangement with a few sunflowers and added a card to finish it off.
The finished bouquet filled him with pride. Colors and shapes harmonized beautifully; flowers big and small stayed in perfect balance. Everything altogether not only looked beautiful, but also carried the message intended by the giver. Words of appreciation and congratulations from the entire close-knit crew, sincere wishes and lots of joy.
The customer was also satisfied. He received more than he expected and now genuinely admired the work of floristic art that was created right in front of him. He looked again at the host who showed him so much understanding and patience, and unsuccessfully tried to find appropriately compelling words to thank.
“Thank you. It is perfect.” he said at last.
Blushing with pride, the florist watched the customer leave the shop and get into the car.
Even though nothing suggested it just a few moments ago, in the end it was without a doubt a successful day.