sir! I’d love to do that. I have to gather the jewels and beads, but I’ll work every night to get the pieces done perfectly and quickly.”
“That would be wonderful, Mindy. You enjoy the rest of your day,” Joseph told her. Then he and his wife were off to the next place. Joseph looked over to his security team, gave them a quick head nod, indicating for them to come over. As they did, Joseph discreetly handed over the business card to Kevin, saying to him quietly, “Make sure you get this to Lucas. She has great pieces I think are worth investing in.”
“Yes, sir,” his man said, tucking the card away in a pocket folder. Joseph had found many of his best suppliers by simply going out in public and looking around. He very rarely regretted a decision once he made one.
After another hour, they made their way to a little shop that specialized in crepes. The two of them ordered. The place was full, all but one table had all seats occupied. There were two women sitting at that table and they motioned for Katherine and Joseph to sit with them. Katherine didn’t hesitate to accept the offer.
Courteous exchanges of names were shared, and then Katherine noticed a couple of catalogs in front of the women. That kicked the conversation up, and Katherine learned the two had just begun a business and were discussing new ideas for their next run of vases. As they chatted, Joseph couldn’t have been happier to see his wife so full of life. He was also very aware she might be at this table a while, talking to the women about their new adventure.
“I’ll be right back, love,” he said. He needed to stretch and wanted to surprise his wife.
“Sounds good,” she told him before going right back to her conversation with the women.
Joseph exited the shop, looking at Kevin and Paul, indicating that one of them needed to stay at the small eatery.
On his way down the ramp, away from the diner, Joseph knew he’d have to push through a bunch of people to get back to where he’d seen a vendor selling flowers. But he’d only taken a few steps when he heard a man calling out to passersby that he had fresh flowers.
The florist was only a few yards away from the men who made a spectacle by flying fish through the air, yelling out orders to one another, each of them echoing responses back, putting on a show so onlookers would step up and purchase the fish.
Doing his best to ignore the controlled chaos of the fishermen, Joseph stepped up to the man selling flowers and said, “Quite a show you get to watch.”
“Yeah, I get a lot more business than I used to when I was down at the other end. Took a lot of work but finally got approval to set up shop here. How can I help you?” asked the florist.
“I’d like some flowers for my wife,” Joseph said.
“Any specific kind or color?” the florist asked.
“I want a myriad of bright colors with greens and whites thrown in, something that will look spectacular in a vase,” Joseph said.
“I have just what you’re looking for,” the man said. He disappeared behind a tarp. Within thirty seconds he was back with a huge arrangement in his arms with both small and large flowers in all the colors of the rainbow. It was exactly what Joseph had been picturing.
“Perfect,” Joseph said as he took the bouquet.
“Great. This one is sixty dollars,” the man said.
Joseph pulled out a one-hundred-dollar bill and handed it over. “Keep the change.” The man’s smile brightened.
“That’s much appreciated. You have a wonderful day, sir,” the florist said. Joseph turned and the man instantaneously started calling out to people to come and get pretty flowers for their beautiful ladies.
Joseph rushed back to his wife, sliding in beside her and running his hand down her back. She gave him a smile as she continued talking to the women she’d struck up a conversation with about how hand-blown glass vases were made. Katherine was fully engaged. She was happier than she’d been in a long time. He could admit he’d been wrong in isolating her. Katherine was a butterfly who needed to spread her wings and fly.
Katherine chose a beautiful pair of matching vases, filled out an order form, and promised the women they’d talk again soon. She finally turned to Joseph as the women said their goodbyes