Woke up this morning to the sound of the alarm boring into my skull. Trying to ignore it by putting my pillow over my head only gave my cat a higher perch upon which to settle himself. So, before Claudius’ weight had a chance to suffocate me, I moved him and the pillow off my face and smacked the clock until it was quiet.
6:00am. Too early, but that’s the way it is every morning when your job sorting flowers is across town and your mode of transportation is the bus.
Sliding out of bed I discovered it was quite chilly. Nearly July and we’re still having 40 degree weather at night. Thank god for carpet on the floor. Hurrying out into the hallway, I flipped off the a/c and flipped on the heat. This would get the house toasty for Richard who’d be leaving his nighttime job at the Monster Registration Office in about an hour. Richard likes to ride his bike home, but with it being so cold out, he’s practically frozen by the time he rolls in at 7:30am.
I threw the dogs outside to wake up the neighborhood; it’s a courtesy service, since their kids always serenade me to sleep at night with loud talking, skateboarding and music. Such thoughtful children.
I get ready pretty quickly in the morning. This way I can have my Cafe Da Vita with my eggs and oatmeal and just relax while I check my email and read a few blogs. Once the dogs are back inside, I keep them occupied with some morning treats so they don’t go after my breakfast.
Right at 7:30am the garage opens as the spouse is putting his bike into it. It closes and I greet him at the door. He forgot his jacket last night, so with the cool air and the bike ride, he’s pretty frozen. And tired. The dogs go mad for him, he visits with the cats and then he gives me a quick kiss as he heads to bed. I toss my dishes into the sink, grab a light jacket and my purse and head out the door.
I work at Van Helsings Practical Charms & Weapons. I know, I said I’m a flower sorter, and I am. Tingo Van Helsing is the inventor of the “Feng Shui Ward”, a series of warding charms for the home that are complementary to the home decorator. As a flower sorter, my job is fairly simple. A fresh load of a variety flowers is sent each day. Those that are in perfect bloom, become charms, those that aren’t, they’re tossed. Although, sometimes I take home a nice bouquet.
My mother thinks I’m wasting my talent and my time as a flower sorter; it takes no thought. That’s rather what I prefer about my job. I just do, I don’t have to think. I save my thinking for my breaks, for lunch with friends, and for when I’m home. Thinking is for that quiet time when I’m writing and preparing my next novel for publication.
Not too much happens at the charms shop. A couple of wayward explosions now and again. Maybe a dissatisfied witch or wizard or two, but it’s a good place with a good check, and benefits.
By the time I get home at 4pm, I have a couple of hours to spend with Richard and we plan our weekends. This weekend it looks like we’re going to pack the dogs and cats into the old time machine and go check out a couple of historic events. We haven’t decided on which ones, yet. I’ve got my vote in for the signing of the declaration of Independence. I’d like to meet the old ancestor, Benjamin Franklin this time.
Well, if I had a life, that would be it, more or less. Hm?
I’m thinking that maybe I need to stop reading the Dresden Files books for a little bit.
Tags: flash fiction
you should really sheild your home rather than ward it, wards keep everything out, even good magic that you would like to let in, and makes your spells difficult to accomplish. *grins*
you read about magic, I practice it. sort of!
that is a nice way to describe a flower shop. you are too funny. i especially like the monster registration office. nice touch