Time Heals All Wounds? Not Quite. Emily Zhang

That night was a night for celebration, and every shop was closed but one. Paint peeling, rotting wood panels creaking and banging in the wind. A single flickering lightbulb illuminated the peeling sign on the window, which read Flowers for Sale in faded letters that may have once been red The wilted flowers in the window display seemed hopeful for a little more attention before the last of the shoppers retired into their homes. Creak, bang. A tall, narrow figure entered the shop, and the door coughed out a puff of dust as it slammed shut behind him

Inside stood businessman Kenneth Harry Tucker VIII, though the world seemed to know more of the business conducted in his bed than the one he managed by day Despite the storefront's neglected air, the interior of the shop was relatively clean however, the dampness emanating from the walls was almost palpable His knee protested; despite what his doctors had said, the old injury continued to bother him in such places. Trying not to wince, he walked forward, searching for a bouquet that met his standards. Creak, bang.

A door in the back slammed shut, and a young woman appeared, looking at the businessman with shock He guessed that she hardly ever received customers Perhaps she would treat him pleasantly seeing as he was the only other person there.

“Good evening, miss. ” He tipped his hat at the woman “I’m looking for a Christmas bouquet for ” he paused, realizing it might not be tactical to speak of his wife, “ the occasion ”

The florist gestured to an arrangement. “What about this one?”

It occurred to the businessman that she was quite pretty There was an intensity in her eyes that countered the softness of the rest of her face She reminded him of one of his favorite ex-wives.

He bent over to examine the bouquet. It was tasteful, he thought, with pinecones and pine needles, cinnamon sticks and blood red roses Fitting for the season. “Yes, this will do. ”

The woman smiled. “Fantastic!”

An idea struck the businessman. “Do you have anyone to spend this Christmas with?”

The woman regarded him with slight confusion

“Well, no, but ”

He acted as if he hadn’t heard her. “I have a wonderful meal prepared back home, which is really too much for the few people in my household. I am in need of some fresh company, after all Would you care to join me?”

“I would love to!” she exclaimed. Delight, mingled with bewilderment, shone in her eyes.

He had expected the woman to hesitate, even decline, but he supposed she was just that lonely “Wonderful, ” he said, trying to conceal his excitement What a pleasant surprise this was!

He purchased the bouquet, taking notice to pay her only the amount on the price tag and nothing more He was no charity, after all He gestured for her to follow him, but she turned around and asked him to wait as she hurried into the back room, returning a few moments later with her hands in the pockets of a freshly donned coat Creak, bang. The rattle of the shop’s old paneling was the first thing to welcome them as they stepped outside The businessman watched as the woman fumbled with her keys. Should he help? Oh, how he was tempted just to seize that excuse to touch her hands! No, no, best not to seem too eager so early Even so, it took all his selfcontrol to only watch as she struggled to lock the shop door with one hand, the other hand safely in her pocket to avoid the cold.

What a beautiful hand she had at least, until he noticed the scars crisscrossing it, as if it had been repeatedly struck by something long and thin. The sight seemed familiar to him somehow, but he pushed the thought aside. He wondered how a beautiful woman like her could deserve such punishment

He noticed how the florist tried to conceal her surprise as they walked inside, her eyes flicking from the old chandelier on the ceiling to the crooked chest of drawers he’d gotten as a wedding gift Now that he thought about it, he didn’t remember which wedding it had come from. "Finally, you’re home, ” said Anne, his wife, as she appeared in the doorway, wearing an emerald green gown She paused, narrowing her eyes at the florist “Who’s this?”

He noticed, not for the first time, the faint wrinkles beginning to appear around Anne’s face “This young lady was kind enough to… sell me some flowers. She has no one to spend her Christmas with. ”

The suspicion on Anne’s face seemed to deepen She did not press the subject, however “Well, then, come on!”

As Anne led the florist into their dining room, the businessman went to the kitchen, where he stuck the bouquet into a plump vase

He noticed the tray of salt shakers lying on the counter and decided not to wait for the cook to bring it out. Besides, he thought wryly, he never did much to help out around the house. Maybe this would improve Anne’s mood

Anne and the florist were seated when he entered the dining room, and the warm lighting did nothing to conceal the indifference emanating from Anne. She sat stiffly, watching the florist with doubt.

He leaned over the florist’s shoulder to set the bouquet on the table, catching a whiff of her perfume as he did so. She smelled wonderful. Carefully, he set the salt shakers down, making sure to give Anne the best one, and making sure she noticed. He needed to have her in a good mood

“Let’s eat, ” he said

The food looked delicious: filet mignon, corn with pine nuts, and a platter of plump grapes and figs. To top it all off, a large bottle of Greek wine stood on the table, half-full, its contents already poured into their glasses “So, what’s your name?” asked Anne, tugging a grape off of its stem.

“Madeline, ” replied the florist after a moment’s pause “Pass the salt, please, ” she said, reaching for Anne’s ornate salt shaker

“You have one in front of you, Madeline, ” said Anne, pulling her salt shaker toward her own plate and sprinkling some onto her steak. “Don’t go reaching for mine ”

“Ah, Anne, don’t hurt our guest’s feelings, ” said the businessman, who’d heard Anne’s accusatory tone

With visible reluctance, Anne gave Madeline the salt. When Anne stood up to go to the bathroom, she leaned over to whisper in the businessman’s ear “Don’t think I don’t know why you brought her here ”

“Anne, don’t spoil the mood, ” he said loudly, slurring his words. “It’s Christmas!”

Relinquishing the glass altogether, he reached for the bottle and took a long swig

“This was the best meal I’ve ever had, ” said Madeline.

“Enjoyed it, did you?” said Anne with a frown, fanning her face “I thought the steak was overcooked Too bitter I think I’ll go out and take a walk I shouldn’t have had so much coffee with the pie. ” She shot her husband a warning look before pulling on her coat and leaving, not even bothering to change out of her dress.

The moment Anne left, the businessman stood up, turning towards Madeline Ignoring his pounding head, he said, “Stay the night, won’t you? You’re a very pretty one, you know ”

Madeline took a step back. “No, thank you. ”

“It’s very comfortable, I assure you!” He took a step forward, reaching for her hand, but the next moment, he was on the floor He wasn’t quite sure if it was due to the force with which she’d slapped him or the bout of dizziness that had sent the world spinning.

She showed him her hands, her wrists, her arms Though his head spun so forcefully that his vision blurred, he could tell they were covered in angry white scars Some spanned the length of her forearm, others were as small as a grain of salt. “Salt, ” he muttered suddenly. “You used the wrong shaker ”

Amid the distracting ringing in his ears, he thought he heard sirens He attempted to push the sound away, swiping vainly at his ears.

She ignored him, too absorbed in her own world now “I thought you recognized me when you saw me today I thought you were sorry, so I came Instead, you wanted me out of pure greed I don’t even think you know who I am. But rest assured I won’t be helpless this time. ”

She pulled a small handgun out of her coat pocket, her hands shaking uncontrollably as she raised it She stepped onto the floorboard that always squeaked.

He couldn’t help but think that hers would be a wonderful face to look at as he died

“Good-bye, Father ”

Creak, bang