It was finally March. Winter still had its icy claws set in the city, but Spring was just around the corner. Another month and the weather would be pleasurable enough to venture out without the protection of a winter coat. Some people already found the temperatures enough to their liking to brave the crisp March winds with lighter apparel, but Gwen wasn’t one of the brave few. She was still bundled up carefully in her peacoat, but was missing the warm accessories that she usually doned in the middle of her most hated season. Still, she hid her hands in the pockets of her coat as the wind whipped at her, causing a shiver to roll down her spine as the cold breeze managed to travel down the back of her coat.

The weather couldn’t spoil her mood though. With it being March it meant the beginning of the planting season. Sure, things certainly wouldn’t survive on their own outside, but Gwen was set to begin some seedlings in the apartment. Of course, she hadn’t mentioned to Isaiah yet that there would be strategically placed containers around the entire place yet, but she’d cross that bridge when she poked and prodded him into helping her. After all, half of the things she intended to plant were edible things so it was only fair he’d help since he’d get to enjoy the fruits and vegetables come summer. First though, she needed to get her supplies.

A little local shop was her preferred destination. She had found it when she’d first moved to Destiny City and was exploring the city. It was a cute shop that specializes in gardening. Walking in it was quite obvious that it was planting season by the large variety of seeds and bulbs that were in stock and placed strategically towards the front of the store. Normally she’d be one to grab up all the necessary items first, things that were usually boring to buy, but seeing that the seeds were practically begging her to explore them she hopped right to it.

Blue eyes quickly sifted through the multiple packages. There were enough brands and variety there to keep her entertained for days, but Gwen had come with a game plan. She was looking more for herbs, vegetables and fruit and not so much the floral. So, with careful decisions she plucked a packet of heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, red peppers, and some strawberries. Along with some basil, cilantro, mint and thyme she considered herself finished with the little packets of seeds until her eyes glanced over one of her favorites, Forget-Me-Nots. With a smile, she grabbed the little packet of seeds and added it to her stash. She could spare some room for the adorable little purple flower somewhere while everything germinated. They would look adorable out front in a pot with how well they tended to fill in. Plus they were fairly hardy and would probably last into Fall, especially under the cover of her porch.

With all of the seeds gathered up, Gwen moved down the aisles to gather up her other necessities, but not before stopping to nab up a shopping basket which she promptly tossed the seed packets in. She made a point to go up and down every aisle. If there was one thing Gwen enjoyed doing it was browsing things, and she was one of those who could spend an eternity in a store if given the chance. Since she only had one other thing planned for the day there was no need to rush.

Finally she made her way down the aisle where trays for small peat pots were located. She plucked up three trays that held twelve plants each along with their specific covers and put them in her basket. Thankfully the trays came prepared with the peat pots already inside so that was one less thing she needed worry about.

Meandering around she grabbed a few other essentials like gloves, miracle grow, a small watering pot, a small spade and a few other basic clay pots that she would transfer the seedlings to once they were big enough. She paused to pick out a strawberry pot before grabbing a black, shiny ceramic pot that would house her Forget-Me-Nots. Maybe the black wouldn’t make it look too feminine? Gwen chuckled. Well, Isaiah will have to deal with the flowers, like it or not. At least I didn’t pick a pink or purple pot.

With a full basket and then some, Gwen headed to the register and checked out. She eyed the cashier as she gathered up her bags. “Um, you guys aren’t hiring at all are you?”

The cashier shook her head. “No, sorry. Not right now. You can put an application in if you want though for a future position.”

With a smile Gwen hoisted her bags up and off the counter. “Alright. Thank you!” Well couldn’t blame her for trying. It took her two trips to get everything out to the car where she carefully stored her purchases in the trunk of her car. She checked the meter. She had a half an hour yet, that would be enough time.

With the wind doing a fine job at messing up her plaited hair, Gwen shoved her hands in her pocket and headed down the sidewalk. She had been putting out resumes and applications to a few local shops. Most were not hiring, but she was growing a bit desperate at this point so she had decided to pop into a shop she knew had been looking for someone, but hadn’t heard back from yet. It was thankfully not far from the little shop she had just visited so with a brisk five minute walk she found herself standing in front of a shop that had a beautiful display of flowers positioned in its front window. The flowers were obviously greenhouse grown since there was no other way to get such gorgeous blooms this time of year, but the striking yellow daffodils with the multicolored tulips was very eye catching and gave hope for the spring season.

Walking in the door a soft bell rang. Gwen tried to placate her jumbled hair in hopes of looking somewhat presentable when a woman, the owner, came out of the back room. “Can I help you?”

“Um, yes.” Gwen stepped up to the counter. “I had put an application in here about a week ago? I was wondering if you had a chance to look at it? The name’s Gweneth Malley?”

Being a florist was something that hadn’t ever crossed Gwen’s mind. She was more interested in the gardening aspect of plants, but when she heard the little shop had been hiring she jumped on it. After all, she was interested in learning more about the business aspect of running her own shop and whether it was a florist or some other shop she would get the same general idea.

“Ah, yes!” The woman smiled. “I am so sorry, I meant to call you a few days ago but I’ve been swamped since I am the only one here. I know you have no experience as a florist but I am willing to teach you if you are still interested? I could certainly use someone around here who at least has some business experience and your degree is more than enough credit for me. I have some time here if you’re willing to chat while I finish off an arrangement in the back?”

Gwen practically beamed. “Oh, of course! I am definitely still interested in the position.” Finally something was going her way in the job category.

“Perfect! I am Charlotte Kemming.” She held a hand out to Gwen who promptly took it. “Lovely to meet you. Come on, I’ll show you what I am working on and we can chat.”

The two disappeared to the back and about twenty minutes later Gwen was walking out of the shop with a large smile plastered on her face. She hadn’t been expecting much from such a tiny shop but the offer was very fair. Charlotte had been adamant she wanted to find someone who actually wanted to work at the shop and felt that Gwen would fit that criteria. Sure she would have a lot to learn about being a florist, but she could take care of some front end things until she was able to take on actual orders. It would be a learning process for sure, but Gwen was excited about it. Sure, it wasn’t her dream job, but it was a step in the right direction.

She hurried back to her car. The meter was thankfully not blinking red yet but she only managed to make it back with a few minutes to spare. Grabbing her keys from her purse she hopped into the red vehicle, and heaved a sigh when she was no longer being assailed by the March winds. Again she ran a hand over the top of her heir and down the plait in an attempt to smooth out the mess before popping the keys in the ignition. It didn’t take her long to navigate herself out of the parking spot and before heading back to the apartment. Her smile still beaming. It had been a good, productive day!


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1555