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Flora knew if anyone asked she would blame it on the sight of the butterfly.  The tiny yellow butterfly with the sprinkling of white on its wings, dancing over the honeysuckles with a jaunty air, as though nothing in the world was more important at that moment than smelling the fresh honeysuckle in the warm morning air, as summer gently slid to fall.

If asked, Flora could explain how this tiny butterfly reminded her of her own gentle butterfly, the tiny cocoon that truly seemed to listen as she worked late in her studio, understanding the beauty how a dress whisked about one’s feet, how pleats could fall so gently.  Hours of work and skill taken for granted or largely ignored.

If she was honest with herself, Flora thought as she hurried down the sidewalk in the opposite direction from the bakery, she would admit it was the butterfly that did it.  As she watched it’s tiny feet tap dance on the honeysuckle blooms, it’s wings fluttering in glee, her heart burst with joy.  And at that moment, she knew the last thing she could do was trudge to the bakery and buy her bitter mother a sack of icing-laden donuts that would sit untouched, calling her name as she worked through lunch.  She couldn’t bear to go back to the tiny dark office, so magical in the mornings, now infected by her mother’s sneering cynicism.

So when her feet took her to The Butterfly Garden and Nursery, she slid her mother’s money in her apron and stepped inside.  Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, letting the smells of Jackie’s prize roses and lilies wash over her.

“Flora!”

Her eyes popping open, she smiled at the gorgeous thin blond in front of her.  “Jasmine!  My mother just told me we have a fitting later today.  Are you excited about prom?”

Jasmine bobbed her head up and down, beaming.  “I can’t wait.  I’m so excited.  My morning classes got canceled, so my mom and I came over to pick out my flowers.”

“Isn’t your date supposed to do that?”  Flora asked, a tiny twinge aching in her heart.  Her own prom dress, a triumph of pale green satin and silk that she and her grandmother had worked on for months, remained unworn in her studio.  She hadn’t exactly been popular with the boys in high school.  Or now, her mind whispered.  Or ever.

“James?”  Jasmine rolled her eyes.  “James is so clueless he’d wind up getting me daisies or wildflowers!   I’m going to order what I want and he can come pay for it.”  She tossed her hair, flashing perfect white teeth.  “I’m going to go find my mom.  See you this afternoon!”

“See you!”  Repressing a sigh, Flora set off down the lush green rows in search of Jackie.  For as tall and as striking as her blond friend was, it was amazing how easily she could disappear in a cluster of shrubs or flowers in her khaki overalls and dirt-smeared t-shirts.

“She’s not in the flowers,” Flora mused to herself, chewing on her lip.  “She must be up front at the register!”  Hurrying past a cluster of cheerful sunflowers and explosions of various colored mums, Flora sharply turned the corner and smacked right into a crisp white shirt.  Glancing up, she sucked in her breath.

“Oh my gosh!  Nate, I’m so sorry!”  Her cheeks flamed as she jumped back, her fingers plucking at her apron as though she could use it as a shield.  “I didn’t see you.  I’m so sorry.”

“So you said.”  He flashed an easy grin at her and winked.  “Is this where you come for inspiration?”

Flora stared at him dumbly.  “Huh?” she replied.

“For inspiration…for your gowns.”  Nate glanced around.  “Your work is so ethereal, so light, I thought the flowers must be what inspired you.” To Flora’s shock, he blushed.  “I guess that sounds pretty dumb.”

Flora’s head shook so hard she was certain her brain was rattling.  “No, no.  I mean, I do come here for inspiration sometimes.  Today I came to see my friend Jackie.  She’s really the soul of this place.  You should see what she’s done to my own garden…”  Realizing she was babbling, she flushed.  “I didn’t know you liked my gowns so much.”

“They’re gorgeous.”  Nate’s blue eyes twinkled.  “I’m surprised you don’t have a crowd of admirers!”

Flora snorted.  “That’s doubtful.  Most people just want me to make prom dresses or gowns for their society functions.  When my grandmother was alive, she and I had a ball creating the most outlandish gowns.  We had such fun…”  She trailed off, biting her lip.  Even now, her grandmother’s memory made her heart ache and pulled at the tears hidden behind her brown eyes.  “I did have a woman come into today that seemed interested.  It was a surprise.”  Cursing herself for still babbling, she asked, “What brings you to the Butterfly Garden?”

Nate held up a yellow slip.  “Ordering some flowers.  I hear they’re all the rage nowdays.”

Ignoring her sinking heart, Flora stretched her lips into a smile.  “I know most girls like them.”

“Do you?”  Nate’s gaze held hers, the blue eyes firm and piercing.  Tearing her eyes from his, she fingered the butterfly charm around her neck.

“Of course,” Flora murmured.  “What girl doesn’t love flowers?”  Impulsively, she laughed.  “After all, flowers attract butterflies.”

“And I know how much you like those.”  Nate grinned.  “Perhaps someday I can see your garden.”

Flora’s heart fluttered.  “I’m sorry?”  Her fingers twisted the chain around her neck, tightening around her throat.

“The butterfly garden your friend made for you.  I’d love to see it.”  Nate glanced at his watch and grimaced.  “As usual, I’m late.  I’ll see you at our next fitting, Flora.”  Winking, he waved at the woman behind the counter and hurried towards the exit.

Taking a deep breath, Flora shrieked as hard fingers wrapped around her arm.  Whirling around, she smacked the air in front of Jackie.  “You scared the devil out of me!  Where have you been?  I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“I know.”  Jackie grinned.  “I saw you, but once I saw you talking to him, I ducked behind the palm trees so you’d talk to him instead of getting scared and yapping to me.”

“I wouldn’t get scared and run off.”  Flora laughed at Jackie’s dubious expression.  “Well, maybe.  Ok, fine.  I would.  But he’s ordering flowers for another girl and he’s gorgeous and totally out of my league.  He’s the prince of the coronation ball, for heaven’s sake!  He and Astrid belong together.”

Rolling her eyes, Jackie called, “Hey Myra, watch the front for me.  I’m going on my break.”  Gripping Flora’s arm harder, she steered her towards the butterfly room.  “We’re going to have a little chat about confidence and hot princes before you go back to that dungeon with your mother.”

“I’ve got fittings and class at six….” Flora protested weakly as Jackie lead her into an explosion of color and fluttering wings.

“And they can wait.” Jackie poured a cup of coffee for her and grinned.  “Sometimes, a little girl talk is necessary.”

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  We have a new Halloween edition tomorrow!  Next week is Halloween week, so get ready for some terrifying fun!

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