A Dozen Roses:

Simone’s Notes:

Why do men give flowers to women? It is said to be a token of love. Most women are happy to see these roses. But are they really happy with getting flowers? Or do they act just to keep their men happy? Some women what more than flowers from men. Some to a post-modern woman, flowers are just dull and clichéd. They want so much more than just a dozen roses. But, it’s up to the men to figure out what!

“He doesn’t fully know you.” Yasmine’s employer friend said the next morning. “I know that,” Yasmine snapped as she slid on her black tank top with string thin straps. Steven was coming over this afternoon to visit Yasmine. She was excited to see him again. The woman took extra steps for this occasion. Her boss-friend seemed to be mildly surprised by her neatly pressed white dress slacks, softly pedicure toes, and a light smell-pretty on her soft flesh. Her other friend was happy for her. This romance looked promising this time. But, as usual with all blooming relationships, there were a few small secrets unknown to the other partner. “He hasn’t seen your tattoo yet!” the boss went on. “He hasn’t even seen me naked yet.” Yasmine answered bravely as she combed her long dark ponytail neatly. “But what will you do if he does and he sees your tattoo?” the boss asked. “I highly doubt that he would want to date a criminal after that!” “I’m not a criminal, remember?” the hunter asked as she lightly applied some pale lip gloss on her lips. “The council labeled me as that without hearing my side of the story. I’ll just tell him that. I refuse to have anything to hide from him!”

The boss snorted behind her as he sat on the sofa. Yasmine looked up in the mirror at him. “What?” she asked. “You promised you wouldn’t get attached to anyone here!” he reminded her. “So?” the hunter asked. “I need you focused on your work!” he demanded. Yasmine turned to him from the mirror. “I have not forgotten, Syd,” she said. “Call it a balance if you like!” “Whatever!” Syd growled. Then, they heard the doorbell ring from downstairs. “That’s him!” Yasmine said. “Now, get out of here!” “Fine, fine!” Syd barked. Then, he held out his fist and began chanting. Yasmine smiled to herself and headed to the door. “And you better be really gone this time!” she called out. “Don’t do that invisible crap that you do to spy on me!” Then, the hunter slammed the door behind her. “Damn!” Syd thought. Then, he changed his chant and vanished into thin air.

Yasmine made her way to the door. She peeked into the peep hole. Steven stood on the other side of the door waving at her with a goofy smile on his face. The hunter smiled to herself as she opened the door. “Hi there!” Steven called out. “Hey!” Yasmine replied to him. Steven quickly handed her a bouquet of fresh red roses. “These are for you!” he said quickly. “Oh thanks!” his soon-to-be girlfriend called out. Then, she took the flowers in her arms and took them into the kitchen. The lieutenant colonel watched behind her. Yasmine set the roses down on the counter and pulled out a vase from the cabinet above the sink. “So,” Steven called out. “This is where you live! Nice place you have!” “Thanks!” his soon-to-be girlfriend replied as she filled the vase with water. “It certain looks better than my house!” the lieutenant colonel said as he looked around in the living room. “It’s not how it usually looks,” the hunter replied as she placed the roses in the vase. “I haven’t really finished unpacking yet!” Steven peeked into the kitchen. “You’re new here?” he asked. “Yep!” Yas said as she turned back to him. “I moved here three weeks ago.” “Why?” Steven asked. “For business reasons.” his soon-to-be girlfriend answered. “Wow!” the lieutenant colonel replied impressed. Yasmine kept smiling at him.

Outside, Syd and his girlfriend sat in the trees watching. The woman was smiling to herself in victory. Syd glared at her. “You knew about this didn’t you?” he asked coldly. His bird just smiled at him. “But of course,” she replied. “Why?” he asked. “Because,” she replied. “Why shouldn’t she be happy?” Syd kept glaring coldly at her. “She’s got work to do!” he pointed out. “And?” his girlfriend asked. “I need for fully focused!” he finished. The bird couldn’t help but to laugh to herself. Her boyfriend caught onto her. “And what the Hell is so damn funny?” he asked. The woman turned back to him smiling. “She’s not a dog or a machine,” she pointed out. “She had needs too! So, this is good for her to find a good man to love.” Syd just looked away and rolled his eyes. “Someone other than that jackass Trent!” the woman mumbled under her breath. The couple just continued to watch their friend and her date from the tree.

Yasmine sat back onto the couch. Steven stood in front of her staring. “Come on,” Yas spoke up. “Sit with me, I won’t bite you!” The lieutenant colonel did so. His soon-to-be-woman smiled at him. “Do you like kids?” Steven asked. A sad smile came across Yasmine’s face. “Yes,” she replied trying to sound happy. Steven caught onto her tone. “Yas?” he asked. “What’s wrong?” The hunter tried to fight back her tears. “Nothing,” she said. “It’s nothing.” Steven lightly put his arm around his woman. “Did you once have a child of your own as well?” he asked softly. Yasmine nodded softly. “A son,” she answered. “I was pregnant and hoping to start a family with my last boyfriend. But…” “You miscarried?” he asked. “Even worse,” Yas replied. “My child was taken from me before he was born!” The hunter broke down into tears on Steven’s lap. He lightly ran his fingers through her soft ponytail. “It’s okay.” he said softly to her. “It’s okay.” Yasmine just lied there and cried on his lap. Right then, the lieutenant colonel saw what he had to do next. It was clear that Yasmine didn’t want a physical relationship yet. So, Steven decided to be her friend first and let the ride become something more.