ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟝𝟘 #3
I guess, apparently, having a collapsing marriage wasn't enough. Apparently, the entire city needed front-row seats.
I shook my head.
That was not going to happen.
What ever happened to the phrase, "Mind your business?" For all that I care, I could've asked them how their dead grandmother was.
I turned back toward the shop.
It smelled faintly like lavender and old books.
There were little shelves everywhere, filled with candles, handmade cards, flowers, stuffed animals, tiny decorations, children's toys. Very peaceful.
Behind the counter sat an older woman.
She looked somewhere in her seventies, maybe. I couldn't tell behind those big glasses she had sitting on her nose.
She smiled at me. "Hello, dear."
"Hi." I smiled back.
"Are you looking for something?"
I glanced around. "Actually, yes."
"What can I help you find?"
I paused for a quick second
What did 5 year old girls like?
I knew this.
I'd known Jordyn- I'd known what she liked. My mind searched through old memories.
Pink? No. She liked pink, but not as much as...unicorns.
Unicorns!
My eyebrows lifted slightly. "Unicorns."
"Unicorns, you say?" The woman smiled.
"Yes, please."
"For a little girl?"
I nodded. "Five."
"Ah," She smiled knowingly. "That's a very important age."
"Well," she said, standing slowly, "I might have a few things."
She walked around the counter and motioned for me to follow. I followed her toward a little section near the back.
"My granddaughter likes these." She picked up a small plush unicorn.
It was white with a rainbow-colored mane and tiny embroidered stars across its body.
Jordyn would've loved it.
I reached for it, and the woman handed it to me.
I turned it over in my hands.
It was soft.
I smiled before I could stop myself.
"It's perfect."
The woman smiled. "I thought so."
She reached for another shelf. I watched as she pulled out a small rainbow-colored bracelet with a little unicorn charm hanging from it.
I stared at it. "That's great too. I'll get both.
The woman watched me quietly. "Someone special?"
"Very. She means a lot to me." I looked down at the toys.
The woman nodded. "I can tell."
I didn't know why that almost made me cry. To be honest, everything had been too much lately.
I was standing in a tiny shop holding a unicorn stuffed animal like it contained some piece of my childhood.
I always promised I would give Jordyn the love I never had as a child.
I blinked quickly at my tears.
I smiled at the woman, pulling out my wallet.
I paid for everything and carefully placed the toys into a small paper bag.
"Thank you."
"You're very welcome."
I smiled.
Near the front of the shop, I noticed some flowers.
They were arranged in little buckets near the front counter. A few small bouquets wrapped in brown paper.
I walked over slowly, looking through them. I didn't know exactly what kind I wanted, I just knew I wanted something for her.
Something Jordyn would like.
My eyes landed on a small bouquet of colorful flowers.
Yellow, pink, white, and a little purple.
I picked them up.
"Those are dahlia's dear. They'd make a beautiful selection." The woman smiled.
I turned to her. "This is what I want. Thank you."
She wrapped them for me. I stared at the bouquet while she worked.
I wasn't sure what Cameron had got, but I wanted to be prepared, just in case.
Just in case I had to stand there alone.
Stop.
I looked down at the flowers. I shouldn't have been thinking about him. I was buying flowers for Jordyn, that was the entire point of coming here.
I shouldn't have been thinking about whether he missed me, and whether or not he wanted me back.
And definitely not... I swallowed.
Definitely not his kisses. He was an excellent kisser. I remembered the way Cameron always did it- I don't think I'd ever forget.
It was always slow and warm. Cameron liked taking things slow. The way he'd look at me afterward.
Oh my gosh.
Why was I thinking about this?
Of all things.
I scolded myself. You were the one who left him.
I knew that. I had packed my things, walked out, and told him I needed space. I couldn't sit around thinking about his warm hugs and his stupidly good kisses.
That was not helpful to my mental health.
The woman handed me the flowers. "Here you are."
"Oh, thank you."
She smiled. "You have a lovely day."
"You too."
I took the flowers and the little paper bag, then I looked at myself reflected faintly in the glass of the front door.
I looked completely put together. It was almost funny because deep inside, I was a disaster.
I sighed.
I miss him.
I knew exactly what I missed.
The way he'd say my name when he wanted something.
I closed my eyes briefly. "Get a grip, Dixie."
The old woman glanced up.
"Sorry." I sheepishly smiled.
She chuckled. "That's alright, dear. You have a great day."
I gave her a small smile, then, I pushed the door open. The little bell chimed again.
I took a deep breath. Jordyn first, and everything else later.
That was the plan.
And Cameron was not going to be a part of that plan.
~