The doorbell lets out a high pitch ring as Selene steps inside. The store is filled with greenery and an array of vibrant flowers that perfume the air in a sweetness that welcomes her. Her low heeled shoes tap against the beige tile.
“Good afternoon! Welcome to Better Bloom,” the florist chirps, preparing a bouquet of a dozen roses. “How may I help you?”
“I have been searching all morning for daisies.” Selene’s eyes wander around the quaint shop. Her dark curls bounce to one side and then the other.
The florist’s rosy cheeks become fuller when she smiles. “You’re in luck,” she says, tying the bouquet and setting it aside on the marble. “We just got a shipment of daisies an hour ago. Give me a second.”
Selene squints at the florist's name tag. “Thank you, Leah.”
As Leah disappears behind the double sided doors, Selene leans her body against the table, tucking her curls behind her ear.
After a short while, Leah walks backwards through the doors. She spins around, with hands full of towering brown boxes.
Selene clears her throat and checks the time on her watch. “I don’t mean to rush. But my wife hates it when I’m late.”
“Got it boss.” Leah flashes a smile, placing the different shades of daisies on the counter. “This last one is my favorite.” She lifts up a bright white daisy. “The Marguerite.”
Selene's eyes light up and her shoulders relax. “That’s the one. I’ll take all of them.”
“All of them? That’s nearly a few dozen” Leah asks, taken aback.
“Yes. Purple, rain resistant wrapping please.”
“This wife of yours has got some good taste.”
Selene grins. “I’ll be sure to let her know.”
Leah wraps the daisies and ties it in a white ribbon. “What’s the occasion?”
“A tradition, really. 15 years of marriage.”
Leah places her hand in the middle of her chest and coos, “That’s so sweet. She’s one lucky woman.”
Selene taps her card to pay for the flowers. “You are mistaken. I am the lucky one.”
***
“Mi vida, you won’t believe the day I’ve had.” Selene brushes away the fallen leaves, and places the daisies before her wife. She shakes her head with a chuckle and sits in front of the tombstone, catching her breath. “I ran all over town and still made it on time. You’d be so proud.”
She takes in a deep breath of a crisp October air, tilting her head back. Her chest growing heavy as her nose tingles, with tears filling the brim of her eyes.
“I wish you were here.” Selene says, outlining her wife’s name with her fingertips. “We miss you every day.” Tears trickle down her cheeks and she wipes them with her shoulder. Her lips tremble, and then curls into a smile. “Our baby is six now, can you believe it? And she’s just like you. Milly is silly and forgetful. She interrupts me when I talk, and doesn’t know how to sit still.” The leaves tumble in the wind, drying her tear stained cheeks. Selene lets out a deep sigh. “It’s been three years, but it still feels like I lost you yesterday.” Selene sniffles as she kisses her two fingers and then plants them on the gravestone. “En este mundo y en el otro, Lucía.”
June Writing Prompt for the Sapphic Creative Writing Group - GA (JUNE): Write a story about love without ever using the word “love.”
If you are in GA, seeking a sapphic writing community, you can find us on @Sapphiccwg.ga on IG - MeetUp Link in Bio on IG.