When There Is Nothing Left But Love

“Flowers, Ma’am?” the girl asked with her big round eyes and puffy cheeks. She looked the same age as Audrey, and the clothes she wore were old but still clean, even though there were some random smudges on her face.

I noticed it and quickly took out some tissue, wanting to help her clean it. However, as soon as I reached out, the girl backed away.

She tried to take a huge step back, but kids do not make much distance with those short legs of theirs.

“Don’t be scared,” I told her, trying my best to smile and make myself more approachable. I waved the tissue in my hand to indicate that I meant no harm. “You have something on your nose. Let me wipe that off for you, my dear. Okay?”

The girl was still naive, so she let down her guard in no time and got closer, quietly letting me clean her face without even making a sound.

Seeing what was going on, Emery pulled out a budded flower from the girl’s basket and fiddled it. “It’s a hot day, little girl. Why are you here doing business instead of staying at home? Are you that materialistic?”

are you saying?” Emery always had a sharp tongue when

the girl did not understand what she meant and

reaction, so I asked, “Aren’t

not. She’s a pretty lady.” The girl did not even blink

she kept up her act. “That won’t work, kid. I’m not going to cough up my money just because you gave

have will only cost you two bucks. I won’t be making any profit from

for free?” Emery teased. “You cheeky girl. I bet the supply cost

Emery said, the girl shook her head violently. “That’s not true. My flowers are the best and freshest flowers. They usually cost two fifty each, but I figured you won’t have fifty cents,

sudden, it looked like Emery got serious as she turned her whole body around toward the little girl. “Let me educate you on what for free means. It means presenting an item to someone without subjecting it to payment, little girl. So, you give this to me

that she was not going to get

I comforted the child and pulled Emery in for an apology.