The Arrangement

He proudly presented the bouquet from the grocery store.

She thanked him and found a vase.

She wanted to add a sunflower from her private garden.

He laughed, pointing out its asymmetry.

She left the sunflower in her garden.

“The flowers look great,” he said. She agreed with a nod.

“How about this orchid?” she tried again, carefully displaying the delicate bloom.

“It requires too much attention and fussing. It overwhelms the arrangement.”

She put the orchid back.

“I’ve changed the water to keep the bouquet fresh,” he pointed out. She thanked him.

“Maybe this iris could go here,” she said, nestling it between the others.

“It doesn’t balance well with the other flowers,” he said, pulling it out and handing it back to her.

She took it away.

The store bouquet graced the counter until the last petal fell.

Her garden flourished without fanfare.

She left them where they grew.