Roses

On a spring afternoon, a cheerful woman was walking through the lovely park of her city. She was enjoying the sun and the friendly faces that often passed by. At one moment in her walk though, she noticed a gardener tending to a small patch of roses in an unassuming corner of the path.

“Those are beautiful flowers” - Said the woman

“Yes, the roses bloomed quite nicely this year” - Replied the gardener

“Do you mind if I smell them?”

“Not at all”

The gardener gave room to the lady, allowing her to come closer to the patch. She inhaled slowly and deeply, fully enjoying the simple pleasure she was given; it was quite nice. After she finished her moment, the woman said:

“I’m Angela, it’s a pleasure”

“I’m Brook, the pleasure is all mine”

“It must be nice to work with these flowers everyday, Brook”

“Oh, it is nice, but not everyday, only until they’re taken”

“Taken? Is there a rose thief on the loose?”

“Haha, no, no, you misunderstand me. These are community flowers, anyone is allowed to take one”

Saying that, Brook pointed to a little sign close to the patch. Angela got herself a better angle and read the sign. It was true, apparently.

“Oh, I had never heard of that”

“Is this your first time visiting the park?”

“Haha, yeah, basically. I usually take a stroll downtown on the weekends, but I decided to do something different today”

“Oh I love downtown, haha. But the park is great too, that’s why I work here!”

“I bet, haha!”

They laughed for a while in their jovial banter. Angela looked at Brook for a second, then at the flowers, then back at Brook.

“So it’s ok if I take one of the roses, right?”

“Of course, feel free”

“Thanks, it’s for a special someone”

“Ah, how nice”

Brook watched happily as Angela picked a rose.

“Actually Brook…” - said Angela - “Is it ok if I pick another one?”

“...I’m sorry Angela, but we ask that each person only take a single one…”

“Please, pretty please, can you make an exception? It’s for a special someone…”

Brook stared at Angela for a moment and her supplicant demeanor, pondered for a while, took a deep breath and then answered:

“Look, Angela…there are other patches like this here at the park, maybe if I take you to another one, you can pick another rose”

“Oh, that’d be wonderful! Thank you very much!”

With those words the two of them walked to another patch of roses of the park. Angela picked another rose and was content; however, after a few seconds, she inquired:

“Brook…is it fine if we walk to another patch, so I can pick another rose? It’s for a special someone.”

“Yes, I remember…” - Brook took another deep breath - “Fine”

They walked to another patch, and Angela picked another rose. But once again, Angela asked for one more rose from another patch, for a special someone.

Brook once again agreed.

In many patches they went, Angela now with a dozen roses, until Brook finally said:

“I’m sorry Angela, but this is the last patch of roses”

“I understand, Brook, and I’m beyond thankful for what you’ve done for me. I think I have all the roses I need”

“For that special someone”

“Exactly”

“Well, I hope the flowers will be appreciated”

“I’m positive they will!”

With that said, Angela gave her farewells to Brook and left the park. Brook returned to garden tending and park duty.

A few hours of work had passed, Brook was a bit annoyed at the woman, but overall found her a nice person. Hopefully that special someone will be made happy.

Just as Brook was about to finish the shift, Angela could be seen reentering the park with a nicely arranged bouquet of roses in her hands. It was a lovely one, with a pretty lace and everything. Brook gave a little smile seeing the care and love that woman had. Angela approached Brook.

“Hello Brook!”

“Hi, I see you’re back! Are you going to give this bouquet to that special someone?”

“You’re right!”

Saying this, Angela offered the flower bouquet to Brook

“It’s you, would you like to go out some time?”