Page 12 of All of You

I shrug. “Not my problem then. Anderson’s gonna have to learn hownotto get caught.”

Niko chuckles as we head to the parking lot, his long strides matching mine. “Can you drop me at Viv’s though?”

“Yeah man, you got it.” We head to his jeep. Again I’m trapped without air conditioning, he’s got the doors and top off and although it’s a chick magnet, I could really use a cool down before getting to Viv’s shop, or a dryer. My shirt feels soaked and heavy.

Niko pulls to the curb in front of RootBound, Vivianna’s shop. “Thanks man,” I say as I exit the car.

“If you’re down later, some of the girls and me and Campbell are going out tonight.”

I roll my eyes. “Can’t, dinner at the orchard tonight.”

Niko raises an eyebrow. “When’s that end?”

I shrug. “No idea. Probably never if my mom has anything to say about it.”

“Bummer, see ya bro.” Niko salutes me.

“Later.” I wave him off and turn to head into shop.

This is going to suck.

Seven

Delia

“Mom, that place is the cutest. Can we?” I lick the dripping ice cream from my cone, as we walk down the sidewalk.

The sign reads RootBound. Mom looks up, reading the sign, and laughs.

“Well that’s new.”

“You really expected all the shops to be the same seventeen years later?” She shrugs and leans over to bite the top of my ice cream off “Hey! That’s mine,” I squeal.

“Let’s go in. Gotta love a good pun.”

When we enter, a tiny bell chimes overhead. The shop is comfortable. Not frigid with air conditioning but not sweltering like outside. Books and tender plants hang throughout and thoughtfully chosen textiles are everywhere. It feels homey and warm. I love it instantly.

“How can I help you?” From the corner of my eye, I see a mass of flowing silver hair.

“Just poking around,” Mom answers.

“Happy to have you. Just be sure to read the information tags before you go touching, some of the plants are poisonous.”

This catches my attention and I walk over to where mom is chatting. “Poisonous?” I ask.

The woman nods her head. “Yes, all the plants here are rare, exotic, or toxic in some way.”

“Woah, cool,” I breathe.

“They’re all labeled. If it says do not touch, heed it.”

“Nice to meet you. Delia,” I say.

Mom holds out her hand. “Clover.”

The woman’s face lights up. “What an exceptional name. You girls on a vacation before school starts?”

“No,” Mom says, “We’ve just moved here. Delia will be starting at the high school next week.”