More silence.
“It’s a win-win.” Joy giggled.
After a long pause, Jaime exhaled. “Mom.”
“What?” Joy rolled her eyes. She knew that tone.
“You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Putting others ahead of yourself and me.”
Joy made her way across the piazza, elbowing her way past tourists, groups of school children on a field trip, and locals rushing to work. When she spotted the florist shop, she smiled. “I don’t know what you mean by that, Jaime.”
“You’re putting the needs of these total strangers ahead of your need to just be a tourist, and you’re completely forgetting the commitments you made to me.”
Joy frowned and shook her head. “That’s not true. Helping others is what I love most, you know that. And I said I’ll be back in time to help you plan. Okay? I’ve arrived at work now, so I will call you later. Have a good day.”
Joy ended the call and greeted Dina with a wide grin. “Buongiorno!” She waved.
“Giorno.” Dina waved back. Her graying hair was pulled back into a bun, and she wore an apron over her blouse and skirt. Venezia Florist was printed on the apron. She pointed to the nearby cart. “Alessandro is here to pick up deliveries.”
“Excellent. How are you today?” Joy asked.
Dina pecked her on the left cheek and then the right. “Very good. You?”
“I slept well.” Joy straightened and saluted like a soldier. “I am ready to work. Just tell me what you need me to do.”
“Buongiorno,” Alessandro said as he approached. “How is Joy this morning?”
“I’m wonderful. Good to see you here.” Her body trembled when he smiled. “I wasn’t sure we’d see each other today. I am glad we can spend some time together.” The phone in her hand vibrated. Joy turned it over. Jaime had texted her.
You’re putting others ahead of me again. Just like you used to do with Dad . . . ☹
Joy frowned, then turned her phone over. Jaime didn’t understand that helping others made Joy happy. And arranging flowers helped heal her wounded heart. How could she convince Jaime that being in Venice was what she needed most right now?
“What is it?” Alessandro asked.
“Nothing.” Joy sighed and placed her phone on silent, then plopped it into her purse. “Dina? What do you need me to do first today? I’m all yours. Help unload the cart? Arrange flowers? Anything.”
Dina clapped her hands, then waved her over to the shop.
“Here I go.” Joy shrugged, then winked at Alessandro. “My first day on the job.”
His bright smile warmed her heart and weakened her knees. No, Joy. Don’t do that. Focus on today.
Dina handed Joy her apron with the shop’s logo printed on it and watched as Joy tied it around her waist.
“Molto bene. Now come here.” Dina led Joy to the front counter. “You help customers.”
“What?” Joy’s eyes widened in panic. She shook her head. “No. I don’t speak Italian. I can’t help them. I’ll mess everything up.”
Dina closed her eyes and gently turned Joy’s shoulders around to face the front door. “No. I show you.”
“But—”
A young woman entered the shop, followed by an older woman Joy suspected was her mother. The two were in mid-conversation when they approached Joy.
“Hello.” Joy smiled a weak smile and rested her hands on the counter. She gulped down a knot in her throat.
“Good morning,” the young woman said. She set down her Prada purse onto the counter and tightened her lips. The look of frustration was familiar. It resembled Jaime’s face when they planned her wedding to Carl.
“I need to change my order for the flowers. For my wedding,” the young woman said without making eye contact.
Impressed with her English, Joy straightened her posture with confidence. “We can help you with that.”
Dina put on her reader glasses and typed something into the computer that rested on the counter.
As they waited, the two women chatted in Italian. The older woman gripped her purse to her body and looked down her nose at Joy, obviously talking about her.
The young woman smirked and replied to her mother in Italian.
Well, that’s rude. Joy raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t worry,” Dina said as she typed into the computer. “They are not talking about you.”
