Gemotions

The florist had a lovely voice, warm and professional. "Are you sure there was no card, ma'am?" After a brief pause, he confirmed, “No, ma’am, I double-checked. Just the flowers.” Jessica swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. The delivery person, a young man who looked too young to be driving a truck, had already departed.

She examined the lilies. Stargazer lilies. Her mother’s favorite. She felt a cold dread settle in her stomach. Her mother had passed away six months ago. She hadn't ordered these.

Her hands trembled as she lifted the vase. She thought of calling the number, which was on the box. She thought of dropping the flowers out the window. She just wasn't sure what to do. The silence in her apartment was now deafening. The scent of the lilies, normally soothing, now felt suffocating.