“All ladies like getting flowers,” she had told him, as if explaining the world to him. He never disappointed. For her birthday, he brought her favorite, yellow tulips. I brought a seasonal fall bouquet. Given the weather, they should last well, even if the chipmunks had a nibble. Which bouquet should get pride of place in the inground vase? Mother or partner? We stood awkwardly for a moment, then I unwrapped my flowers, spread them out, and interspersed the tulips among my mums, sunflowers, and freesia. Perfect. We stood looking down at them, both disbelieving the enormity of our loss.
Louise Kuhlman is in her seventies and still working on the Dabbler Girl Scout badge.