Gen.10 – Alma. Chapter Forty-One

December 24, 2023 by Grey 2 Comments

After my trip to Champs Les Sims, it was time to get back in the swing of things. I felt more driven to focus on myself and the things that I needed to do to push myself forward. I wasn’t focusing on relationships outside of friends and family, so all my extra energy was put towards my business.

I loved my flower shop. Hope’s Blossom was doing well. It didn’t burn to the ground when I left, which meant that I could think about bigger things for my business. I wanted to show my products more. I wanted to bring my arrangements, my unique bouquets, and my love for my craft to more homes and businesses.

I used the wave of inspiration to hit the books and helpful forums to see where I could get my product shown. I started showing up more at farmer’s markets, conventions, and even local cafes that had “lifestyle” items to purchase. Everyone could use some flowers, right? I liked to believe so at least.

Of course, with my dedication to my business, my parents were showing up more. First, they came by one by one to buy some flowers. Then it progressed to them offering to help out–thinking I had no assistance when I spent half of my time in the back researching. It wasn’t until they saw that the front of my shop was very successfully managed by my staff that they started to back off a bit. When they realized that I was working towards bigger and better things with my business, they started showing up for me in different ways.

I started hosting open mic nights, which helped draw in younger crowds. Dad occasionally donated his time to play acoustic covers of his band’s songs. Having him there drew in more people who also felt encouraged to share their talents, which was nice. I hoped that people would find my shop as an outlet for their creativity. My space was not just for me and it wasn’t going to be just about selling flowers. I wanted to build more into it.

The flowers were working–I was ready for the next step.

Giving Hope’s Blossom all this attention felt like I was raising a child. I nurtured it with love, attention, and opportunity. I poured my heart into it and over time I hoped it would start taking off more.

---

“See you tomorrow, Alma.” Kayla, my newest hire, smiled as she hung up her apron.

“Have a great evening, doll. We’ll see ya in the morning.” I waved goodbye and turned my gaze back to my computer screen where I was looking up at plans for the future of the shop. It was still a ways away, but I had to keep my eyes on the prize: bringing Hope’s Blossom to more cities.

I wanted to open a new location of Hope’s Blossom in Sunset Valley, and Bridgeport, and eventually, I wanted to move outside the country. If I was going to dream big, then this was it. I would open up one of my flower shops in France as my first international location.

Ha…well, a girl could dream, right?

I rubbed my eyes lightly as the blue light from my screen was alerting me me take a break. I dragged my phone across my desk and sighed. I had a few messages from Dani, Gia, my parents, Kaden, even Oren and Jax and…Lucien?

I cocked my head to the side and opened up the message from the French barista/coffee fanatic.

Bonjour Alma. I hope you still remember giving me your number. If not, it is Lucian, I wanted to share with you that I have started a small shop for my coffee. Very low-key right now. Wanted to thank you for your help and encouragement. Perhaps I can send you a few bags.

I leaned back and tapped my phone against the wood of the desk. At this point, my mind was racing at a hundred miles per hour. The evening hours were upon me and I was getting that crazy rush of “Let’s do this! Nothing can stop me!” Well, a budget could…that could very well stop me, but I stopped and got up from my chair.

I pulled up Lucien’s number in my chat app so I wouldn’t rack up an international calling bill. See, I was being smart.

One ring. Two rings.

“Allo, C’est Lucien.”

“Lucien–it’s Alma. I got your message. I hope I’m not calling you at a weird time. I think it’s hella early over there?”

“Oui, un peu, but what’s going on? I’m just getting ready for work.”

“I have a proposition for you.”

“Oh?”

“Your coffee. Why don’t you send me a few bags? If it’s a match, what do you think about me selling it in my flower shop? I mean, we’d definitely work something out money-wise, but I’m looking to boost my store and you’re looking to get your name out there. What do you say?”

I knew I was throwing out a lot at him and it was the ass-crack of the day over there. So I pulled back a bit and exhaled.

“Look, I just thought of this because I’ve been working on my plans for the next few years and then I saw your message and it clicked. Think about it, though, and if this is something that you’d be interested in, let me know. Maybe we could do a trial or something. Sorry for talking your ear off!”

I heard laughter from the other end of the line. “I must have caught you in the middle of something. Good energy and I like the idea. Let me send you those samples and maybe we can talk about working something out. Send me your address and let’s see if maybe this relationship will blossom.”

I smiled to myself and agreed.

After coming back from from France, Lucien and I chatted every now and then, but what we had back in France was never anything that was meant to “blossom” as he called it. I admired his drive and hoped that I could keep the same momentum going.

Okay…well that was a start. If I was going to get anything off the ground here, then I had to take chances.

---

A few months later, Lucien kept his word and I received a package of whole beans in a few different roasts. The packaging looked nice, and everything was in one piece–I just had to sample it myself and then perhaps with some willing participants before getting to work on putting together something like a vendor contract. Talk about learning on the go! When I first started Hope’s Blossom I was thinking small…but it was time to think bigger.

“So, what do you think? Nice fruity tones to it, right?” I asked, pouring my mother another small cup for a sample.

“You understand if I drink more, my heart may give out, right?” Mom laughed. “It’s delicious, Alma. It’s definitely a unique blend. This one is almost more floral than the other one you had me try. That’s actually very fitting, right?”

I nodded. “Exactly. Floral blend, floral shop? Fucking brilliant,” I exclaimed. “Maybe I could send some beans back with you? Maybe Oren and Jax would want it? They’re basically made up of coffee right now, right? All the studying?”

Mom rolled her eyes, “I swear those boys took after me in college…eating junk and basically mainlining Red Bull. Your father would definitely like to try some. He’s out for a week or so with Reno, so he can definitely try once he’s back.”

“Sure, sure,” I nodded, taking out more bags of the coffee Lucien sent.

“So this is from that man you met while on holiday?” Mom inquired. “Anything happening there?”

“What? No, Mom. We just met, hung out, and just want to help each other out with our businesses…”

“Mhm, alright. If you say so. Look, Alma,” Mom started, placing her cup down on the table. “It’s awesome to see you so ready to go, go, go, but I hope you’re resting up too.”

“I know, Mom. It’s just…I’m so excited that I have this drive to actually focus on my work and build my own legacy, you know? You got to do it with your sculpting, Grandma had her writing, and her mom had her art. This is my passion.”

Mom smiled and bowed her head. “Sometimes I forget how much of myself I can see in you. All you kids–you’re our blood and yet I can see whispers, hints of so many wonderful people who came before. You do what you need to do, but just make sure you’re eating. Or better yet, come have dinner with us whenever you want.”

“Of course, Mom. I’d really like that.”

“Good,” she smirked before getting up from her seat. “Please don’t be a stranger.” She kissed my cheek and saw herself out of my store.

Despite wanting to keep sampling more coffee, Mom was right, even I was going to hit my limit soon. While I looked over the neatly packed coffee bags, I couldn’t help feeling excited. This had be to a sign that this was the right move. I met Lucien, we shared our stories, and now that could very well lead to my first official vendor relationship that didn’t involve flowers!

Before I finished my work, I contacted all the legal and accounting folks I needed to, so we could draft up some sort of vendor contract. I was clueless when it came to this stuff, so I reached out to the people who helped me from the start.

Whether this would actually work out, I had no idea, but just trying gave me so much satisfaction. I believed in my business and frankly, having this to focus on was just the right kind of distraction. When sadness came in waves, I focused on Hope’s.

---

My business took up most of my time, there was no fibbing there, but I did my best to spend time with my friends and family. I used to limit myself to outings in fear of bumping into people who would send me spiraling into a sea of doubt. So when I was at Dani’s for her kid’s birthday party, I couldn’t help but look into the crowd of people for familiar figures.

“He’s not here, Alma,” Dani confirmed. “He hasn’t been showing up much.”

“Oh..?”

“Otto says he’s fine–they still talk, but he moved a few months ago. Out of St. Claire.”

I looked into my glass and nodded. “I suppose that was going to happen eventually, right?”

She agreed. “I didn’t want to bring it up with all the shop stuff you’ve had going on. I figured you were on some super productive streak. How about that though–won’t be long before you’ll be popping up all over the place!”

“That’s the goal, at least.” I took another look into the crowd and offered my friend a small smile. All these years, I shared my successes with my family and friends and…Sabin. I suppose I didn’t have that privilege anymore, but at least when I did see him every now and then, I did get to see how he was doing.

I always worried, but if he at least kept in touch with Otto and said he was okay, then I felt better.

“Gia’s been telling me about your hot French guy you’re ‘totally not fucking’?” Dani grinned wildly, “Are you back on the market, lady?”

“See–I don’t know where the hell you get this shit,” I nudged her playfully. “I literally talk to another man and you salivate at the thought of me getting it on. Y’all good?”

Dani rolled her eyes and walked over to the counter to refill my drink. “Listen, you’re still a very desirable woman. Don’t tell me you’re still going through a dry spell.”

“I am–what?”

“Ya know, the coochie meow-meow–ain’t it getting lonely for some real company?”

Before I could answer, she pointed her finger, “And I don’t mean your plastic friends, okay?”

“Isn’t this your kid’s birthday party?” I snorted.

“Listen,” Dani started, “I have two kids, you think I have time to mount my husband in between diaper changes, naps, and spit up?”

I shrugged.

“Yes–yes, I do. Ain’t always classy, but we get it done, so you should be living it up, lady.” She smirked, tapping her glass against mine. “Love you lots, Alma. Glad you could make it out today. Almost feels like old times.”

“Happy to be here…”

And it really was the truth. My attendance got better once I had a solid plan for my business. I felt that once I had a goal, I could finally move forward. While Dani and Gia had my best interests in mind, I wasn’t rushing into another relationship. And whatever dry spell they thought I was going through–was perfectly fine. If I was going to date anyone else, then I would get to it when the time allowed. I wasn’t in any rush.

When the time was truly right, I was sure that things would just fall into place, right?