I don’t know how they keep roping us into working on this festival. No matter how many times Ben and I have said we’d rather not, they beg us for more. This time we have a a couple of years of experience.
“Is everyone where they are supposed to be?” Ben’s mom asks over her shoulder. Even though I’ve gotten better at talking with people, she has taken over this aspect. I can’t say I’m mad about it.
Our formal introduction was rocky, but we’ve become incredibly close. Especially since she’s moved to Asheville. On the other side of town, of course. We don’t need her that close to us.
“Yep.” I answer. “The kids are on the trails with the signs. The flower walls are on the square, and Ben’s photos are set up.”
The biggest difference in his photos now from two years ago, are there are fewer weddings. Smiling families and kids occupy the easels. He has a knack for catching candid moments that show each individual personality.
There’s about fifteen minutes before the festival opens. Vendors are rushing around getting last minute things set up. There are a few new faces in the crowd, and it shows our small community is growing.
“How many bouquets do I keep on the table?”
Bending down, I grab a couple more, and set them on the table. “This should do it. Hopefully, we’ll sell out again.”
“What are you doing?” His mom shrieks. “You can’t be bending down like that.”
Rolling my eyes, I can’t help the laugh bubbling up. “I’m pregnant not ill. I’m perfectly capable of picking up vases.”
“But you shouldn’t,” she waves my rebuttal away. “This is the time you take advantage of being doted on. Let everyone else do the work.”
“If you don’t watch out, I may bring you to work with me so you can tell my friends that,”
“When they come by the booth to work, I’ll do that.”
She will, too. I thought I was opinionated. I have nothing on this woman.
Arms wrap around me from behind, and I sink into Ben’s embrace. “Your parents called earlier. They are going to stop by later this afternoon.”
“Sounds good.” While my parents aren’t horrible, we had to talk about the responsibilities they put on me as a child and how it made me who I am now. Things are slowly being patched up with my sister. We aren’t exactly besties, but I can be around her without feeling any sort of resentment. It’s progress.
“Are we ready for the crowd?” He whispers in my ear.
“If your mom has it her way, I’ll be sitting in the chair all day and not lifting a finger.”
“As you should be.” He places a hand on my belly.
This isn’t something I ever thought would happen for me. Not a relationship, and definitely not a family. It’s funny how life works and you realize how much you deserve. I can’t imagine anything any differently.
We’re down to five minutes. My chair is situated between both booths so I can support Ben and the flower shop. My feet hurt from unloading the flowers, and I move out of Ben’s hold.
“I think I’m going to sit for a minute.”
He helps me into the chair, but he’s paying attention to the space outside the booth. I’m not sure why. The gates aren’t open yet, but it’s like he’s looking for something…or someone.
Whatever he’s up to doesn’t seem to include me, and I grab my phone out of the cupholder on the chair. I might as well see if the festival is trending. I noticed the hashtags trending a couple of days ago.
“Hi, Miss Sam.” A group of teens yell and my phone clatters to the ground.
“Y’all scared me.” Ben bends down to grab my phone and inspect it for damage.”
Becky is standing to the side, shaking her head. “I told them if they yelled like that they’d send you into labor. Clearly, they didn’t care.”
“It’s fine,” I wave it away. “Why aren’t y’all at your places?”
“We have something for you.” One of the kids has a bag in their hand and they hold it over the table. “We weren’t sure when we’d see you again, and the floral department wanted to give you a little something.”
Is that a tear forming in my eye? I swear these pregnancy hormones are going to be the death of me. “You didn’t have to do that?”
“We know,” Becky says. “But you’ve done so much for the design programs at the school, and we wanted to thank you in return.”
Opening the bag, I pull out a few outfits and toys, but the thing that catches my eye is on the bottom.
It’s a rectangular block covered in flowers. I’m not sure what materials they used, but it’s very creative. The name Kinsey is spelled out in contrasting colors across the middle.
“How did y’all know her name?” We haven’t told anyone outside of our parents and friends.
Ben raises his hand. “I had to tell them after they told me what they wanted to do.”
“Thank y’all so much.” They have no idea how much this small thing means to me.
“You’ve taught us so much, and we wanted to do something for you.” They all jump at the sound of Becky’s phone. “Oh crap, that’s the alarm. We gotta go.”
They wave their goodbyes and run off to their jobs.
“That is a creative group,” Ben bends down next to me. “I hope you aren’t mad I told them the name, but they were adamant on personalizing it.”
“I love it.” I wrap an arm around him. “And I love you,”
“I love you, too.” He plants his lips on mine, but pulls back far quicker than I’d like. The gates have officially opened, and the murmur of the crowd echoes down the street. “As soon as the first wave of folks come through, I’ll grab you some food.”
“It’s like you know me or something.”
“Better than anyone else.”
He’s not wrong, and I can’t believe I’ve gotten so lucky to have him by my side.