Valentine’s Day came every year with a flurry of customers. The floral shop was busy during this time with orders, deliveries, and restocking of many of the plants and flowers. Faith's days passed by quickly, but then it was time for Mother’s Day and it would begin all over again. She smiled and wondered what he’d get his mother then. Faith checked the time and began closing.
Two hours later, Faith pulled the gate down over the floral shops windows and door, locked the pad lock, and walked toward her car. Seeing Joe after all these years surprised her, but she felt something was guiding this ship because she had just been wondering what he was doing in his life just that weekend. Of course she had been looking at old school pictures for a reunion yearbook they were preparing, thus starting the wayward thoughts. But, Faith remembered he made every day at school tolerable. Children were cruel little beasts, but Joe was the most kind-hearted boy she'd ever met, so she never forgot him.
*****
Joe parked his vehicle in the driveway of his mother’s home. He was excited, but dreading this visit. Although his mother was the light of his life, he adored the woman, she nagged constantly. It gave him a headache to listen to the same mantra over again. Marriage, grandchildren, settling down, blah, blah, blah. His younger brother seemed to be covering that already, why he had to be bothered with it was beyond his knowledge.
Entering the foyer of the home, he slipped off his shoes and headed to the back of the house. His mother’s house was two levels of space that she had bought when he left for college. Her constant dream was that he and his family would live in the house. She had a extra room ready for herself and the four bedrooms upstairs where for him to fill with children. Joe did not comment on any of it, he just allowed her to do as she pleased. His mother was very old school, to an extent, or as she deemed necessary. His parents were first generation Korean-American, and his grandmother lived with his parents until she passed. He grew up with two cultures and traditions that he’d learned to juggle and enjoy. His parents were more American than Korean sometimes, but he knew the importance of passing it on to each generation. His brother was lucky. Joe didn’t know what would happen in the future, maybe he would succumb to his mother’s pressure, but as for now, he would listen quietly and respectfully.
“Joseph?” his mother’s voice yelled from the kitchen before the sound of her feet began walking to meet him in the hallway. She began speaking in a tirade of Korean before Joe cut her off by pulling the bouquet from around his back and she stopped mid sentence. “What? Oh my!” smiling broadly, she chuckled at the huge flowers. “They are gorgeous!”
“Good, I’m glad you like them. Happy Birthday.”
“Oh, you're just reminding me of how old I’m getting.” She tittered, turning to find a vase to put them in.
“No one would ever know, everyone thinks you’re my sister.” He teased. His mother shook her head and pulled the crystal from the cabinet. She filled it with water as Joe looked on.
Joe glanced near the stove and began to look at what she was cooking. He grinned at her birthday dinner.
“Is Sam coming over?” he asked.
“Yes, so before you ask why all this food....” She laughed.
“Ahhh, I wasn’t going to.” He twisted his mouth. Joe knew later that he would get an earful when they left. He’d have to leave before they did to escape that terrible fate. “Mom, where is all of my elementary pictures at?” he asked.
“Why?” she laughed, as she prepared the flowers, before placing them in the vase.
“No reason, I think I ran into an old school friend, but I couldn’t remember. I just wanted to see if I was right. I didn’t want to embarrass myself.” He grinned. His mother smiled and nodded.
“Check the attic, there should be some photo albums on the bookshelf. I haven’t looked at them in a long time. “ Joe gave her a quick kiss on cheek and ran upstairs.
In the hall he pulled the ladder to the attic down and climbed up. The space was small, but he could easily maneuver. His mother was orderly to say the least. Everything had a place, label, area, and he quickly found the photo albums. Many were old heirlooms from his Grandmother before they came to the States, his Mother’s family she made sure to visit once a year, then him and his little brothers childhood albums came into view. He flipped through several albums before finding the class photograph. He looked like just another skinny Korean kid with the prerequisite bowl styled haircut. Small eyes, corduroy pants, and solid white shirt and tie, with black shoes. His parents had made a uniform for him during those years. He only wore sneakers when it was a gym day. Eventually they had put him in private school and every weekend he went to Korean school.
Joe pulled out the photo and scanned the faces of Mrs. Donovan’s class before finally stopping at Faith’s. There she was, with her yellow dress and little pink flowers all over it. She was a chubby child, but she always was smiling showing her dimples. Joe grinned at how she couldn't pronounce his name, her missing teeth hadn't fully came in yet. He remembered the "seph" would come out as "ses" so she settled on "Joey". He never liked it, but somehow he let her get away with it.
Joe was amazed at the coincidence of their meeting again after all this time. He couldn’t remember much during those early years, but that he had more fun back then than after. The school years afterward were strict and studious. He went through the rest of the photos and found a couple more during plays, concerts, and classroom parties. Faith was in some of them and Joe could see that she grew up into a very pretty woman. The only thing was she still had those chocolate eyes and warm smile. Joein promised himself to take her up on that cup of coffee. Soon.
*****
Faith went through her regular routine when she finally made it to her small studio apartment. Her bed was separated by a Chinese-style accordion screen. The living room was tidy and mostly empty save for a small rectangular table and pillows surrounding it. She was a minimalist at best. Faith had no time to clean and decorate. The apartment was mainly a place she ate, bathed, and slept. She didn’t own a television, since she wasn't home to watch it. Her computer was enough, but it was more of a work computer than entertainment. She called her parents as she did every night. Being the only child, they often worried about her welfare. They were miles away, across the country enjoying their retirement. Although she was old enough to take care of herself, not being married or even a boyfriend in the picture, they still worried for her safety. After saying goodnight, she fixed her dinner, went through her business reports and receipts. Her small floral shop had been open for five years now and doing well. It was small, but she did a lot, including weddings, funerals, baby showers, and everyday orders.
Later she showered and prepared for bed, throughout the evening though, Joe remained in the back of her mind. He grew up to be just as cute as he was when they were nine. His small eyes were wider and his hair no longer a bowl cut, but now tapered professionally, with a soft wave pattern, and grew tens of inches. He had filled out his suit nicely and Faith wondered what he did for a living now. Probably something productive and well to do, Joseph was always prepared if she remembered correctly. She sighed aloud and wondered if he remembered her now. Maybe not, but she was hoping to see him again. Soon.
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