AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stand from the recliner and walk over to the bed. I pull up Dad’s contact, tapping the call button, and putting it on speakerphone. I set the phone on the rolling table in front of Gramps, letting it ring.
Dad answers fairly quickly. “Hey, Andrew. How’s it going today?”
“Richard, you listen to me,” Gramps sternly says.
Dad sighs, sounding similar to my resigned sigh from just a moment ago. “I’m listening.”
“I don’t need a damn babysitter everyday. I am more than fine to be here alone with these lovely doctors and nurses. If you want to visit everyday to check in, that’s just fine. But only a visit. You need to get back to your lives and jobs. I’m fine.” Gramps nods his head, clearly pleased with his little speech.
The air is thick with silence for a long moment, then finally, “Alright. One of us will come by every day though, and if you change your mind and want someone here, you will let us know. Deal?”
“You got a deal, son,” Gramps agrees. “Now, tell your kid to get outta here so he can surprise Cinderella with that beautiful piece he made.”
Dad chuckles. “Andrew, you’re good to go. Dad, I will stop by this evening.”
They say goodbye, and I end the call. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I rock on my heels. “Need anything before I go?”
“Nope. Get out. I’m going to watch M.A.S.H. and take a nap.”
I nod. “Thanks, Gramps. Josie and I will be by later today or tomorrow to visit.”
He waves me off. “Go.”
I give him a smile. Walking out of the small hospital room, I’m already texting my brothers, forming a plan.
39
JOSIE
“Josie, the bride is wondering if you have any extra pins?” Kenzy, my new, amazing, assistant asks. She’s carrying a bucket that previously had loose flowers and greenery in it, but has since been arranged on tables in vases.
I direct Kenzy to the table where I have my extra supplies, and she grabs a few pins and heads off in search of the bride. I slip my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans, and walk around the small venue, taking pictures of the flower arch, and other things to post on my social media.
The venue is just outside of Ivy Ridge, about five miles. A small barn that has been specifically renovated for weddings and events. It’s one floor, everything all in one place. It’s rustic and chic, everything brides seem to be wanting these days.
I upload the photos, tagging the location, and adding a cute caption. I’ve been trying to be better about posting more consistently on social media, and it has seemed to help. People like the videos I’ve posted of me putting together wedding bouquets and other arrangements.
Kenzy reenters the reception area, tugging her blonde hair into a ponytail as she does. “Everything okay?” I ask her.
“Totally fine,” she answers. “One of the groomsmen was trying to adjust his boutonniere, and dropped the pin in the tall grass.” She shrugs.
“Ah, that will happen,” I reply. “Are you ready to do the second arch?”
“Sure am,” Kenzy says, already striding over to where the flowers are in buckets waiting for us.
All in all, the second arch takes us just over an hour to complete, but I anticipated it. Yet another reason I’m so thankful for Kenzy, and the fact that she gave me a second chance. Had I not had her help, I never would have been able to complete both arches. The bride was pretty insistent on having two separate arches. One that she could use for the ceremony, and pictures at the reception, and one behind the head table. I didn’t question it. If that’s what she wanted, then that’s what she was going to get.
Kenzy and I had to drive separately, as there were so many flowers. Between the bouquets, boutonniere, corsages, and table settings, that alone filled my car. Throw in the two flower arches, and you’ve got two vehicles filled to the brim. Luckily, Andrew was able to let me borrow his work truck this week to get the flowers from the wholesale market. I definitely need to look into getting a van of some sort, but I’ll add it to the list of all the things I need to do.
I officially signed the contract with Meadow Grove Winery yesterday, which is an incredible step for me. Isaac and I are going to be meeting a few times this week to discuss the different package levels we want to do, and what they would all offer. I suggested we go to the brewery, and have Megan and Andrew join us, since we haven’t been able to spend time with just the four of us.
At the end of the job, we bring load after load of buckets, boxes, and other supplies back to the vehicles. Thankfully, with fewer flowers and boxes, we can fit everything in my car for the trip home, so Kenzy doesn’t have to stop by my house.
Kenzy shuts the trunk of my vehicle with a loud thunk. I turn around, putting the last of my things into the backseat. I grab the cash I’d set aside for Kenzy, and shove it into my back pocket. Shutting the door, I round the back of my car to meet Kenzy.
I pull out the cash, handing it to her. “Kenzy, I really don’t think you know how much of a help you were today. I wanted to apologize again-”
“Don’t, really.” Kenzy stops me. “I get it, my availability sucks. I’m just excited you saw the light,” she says teasingly.
