Gemotions

The florist, a woman with unnaturally bright red lipstick, offered a forced smile. "Any card, madam?" she enquired. “No card,” Sarah replied, her voice flat, the corners of her mouth pulled down. The florist seemed perplexed, offering a few hesitant suggestions. Sarah cut her off. “I can deal with it.” As the flowers were passed to her, she carefully examined each stem, feeling a sharp pang of annoyance at the way it was presented. She would not be coerced to feel anything about this mysterious bouquet. She held the flowers with a studied lack of care, and left.