Bloom

Michael stifled a yawn as hey lay in bed. The sun’s faint glow through the curtains was his alarm. He rolled over and got out of his side; careful not to wake Joy up.

“You wake up too early.” a groggy voice murmured

Mike chuckled, “Early bird tendencies.”

“Yeah, yeah.” came the playful response

“I’m off to whip up breakfast, love. Any requests?”

“Hmmm” Joy momentarily sat up and weighed her options, “Let’s have some pancakes.”

He smiled, “Sure thing.”

After a quick shower and change of clothes, Michael gave Joy a peck and headed downstairs. The boys had not yet woken up so the house was still. He made his way towards the kitchen with a Lionel Richie chorus stuck in his head. Michael organized a playlist of old school RnB, funk, and pop music on his phone to listen to as he began cooking.

The house whirred into motion as a combination of groovy sounds and delightful aromas filled the kitchen. Michael was in full swing now, mixing pancake batter, grilling sausages, all the while singing earnestly and rather off key. Matthew sauntered into the kitchen first. Enticed by the food, appalled by his dad’s quirky dance moves.

“Morning dad.” He said with a slight headshake and a stifled grin

“Morning, bud! You sleep okay?”

“I did…” his attention had been grabbed “Oooo”

Mike gave him a knowing grin and a nod. Matthew did not need a second invitation; he reached for a sausage. They chatted as Michael continued cooking. Matthew’s birthday was coming up and he was petitioning for the latest Final Fantasy game for his PlayStation. In the middle of negotiations his younger brother, Mark, joined them in the kitchen.

“Chief!”

“Morning, Dad.”

They exchanged enthusiastic high fives. Mark then grabbed a bacon rasher and took a satisfying bite. The Kitchen was abuzz. Joy Joined them moments later. She gave the boys a squeeze then proceeded to do the same to Michael. After their jovial greetings she scanned the kitchen counter tops, her eyes honed in on her target.

“Aaaah. There it is.” She picked up the contemporary African anthology she was currently engrossed in, “I must have left it here last night.”

Hearty laughter echoed in the kitchen; the house was alive. Joy joined Michael by the stove and whipped up her famous omlettes to round out their breakfast buffet.

“Right, boys!” Mike boomed as he clapped his hands, “Food’s ready. Let’s set the table.”

Michael glanced at his watch after everyone was done eating.

“Babe, I’m off to the florist.” he announced

“Alright, love.”

“Is there anything you need form town?”

She thought, “Just a few things. I’ll text you.”

“Sure thing.” He got up and pecked her then strode towards the living room “Oh, and boys, help your mother clear up and wash dishes.”

“Okay, dad.” they replied in unison

“See y’all in a few.” He said cheerfully

He bounded out of the house and hit the road in his truck. He sang along to his tunes as he cruised from destination to destination running his errands. Michael’s last stop in town was the florist. He strolled in, greeting Joseph heartily with a firm handshake and warm pat of the back.

After the genial pleasantries Joseph asked, “Will it be the one, Mike?”

“Actually” he hesitated for a moment, “Make it two, Joe.”

He paused, “No problem.”

Joseph prepared the bouquets for Michael. All the while engaging in banter with him. Theirs was a serendipitous friendship that had spanned over two decades: ever since he had first bought flowers for Joy. Joseph had been a constant through various seasons in his life.

“There you go, Mikey.”

Mike paid and swooped the bouquets into his arms, “Thanks!”

“Pleasure. Greet Joy and the boys for me.”

“Will do!”

The store’s bells chimed as a cool breeze greeted Michael at the door. He plopped the bouquets in the backseat of his truck and drove to his penultimate destination. He parked and took a moment. Then proceeded to retrieve one bouquet from the backseat. Flowers in hand, he strode purposefully towards his destination.

He had arrived. “ST. STEPHEN’S MISSION CEMETARY”. A gust of wind buffeted him as he crossed the threshold onto the grounds. Michael marched, stoically, onwards. After a bit of navigating he arrived at a tombstone.

“Here lies Jasmine Otieno

Daughter of Michael and Joy Otieno…”

Michael maintained his stoicism as he read the tombstone. It had been a year since Jasmine had left them. A head on collision had claimed her. She had been his sunshine since he first laid eyes on her. Likewise, he was her first love.

As sibling rivalry often dictates, Jasmine did not take kindly to Matthew’s addition to the fold when she was 5 years old. Instantly she had to share her father’s adoration. Ever the mediator, Michael found a solution. One Saturday he bought his precious a bouquet of flowers. He had been doing the same for Joy on the first Saturday of every month since they began dating. It was a tradition he carried on with Jasmine, as well, until her untimely passing at 18.

It had been a tough blow but time had dulled the sting of loss. Michael crouched by the tombstone. It had been 11 grueling months unable to uphold his tradition with his dear Jasmine. He was now at peace. As such he had come, one last time, to fulfill his duty to his daughter. As he placed the bouquet on her grave, he bid a final farewell to his darling. He paused for a moment of silence and then stood up and strode back to his truck.

As he shut his door he received a call. It was his good friend and business partner, he promptly picked up.

“Johnny! Talk to me, brother.”

“Mikey! How are you doing?”

“I’m grand, mate. I just had to run a couple errands in town.”

“I see, I see.”

“Plus it’s the first Saturday of the month, so I popped by Joe’s”

“Ah, yes!” John was well aware of Michael’s bouquet routine, “Hey Mikey?”

“What’s up?”

“How come you’ve never bought me flowers?” John asked cheekily

“You’ll have to buy me dinner first!” Mike retorted

They laughed in unison

“Listen, Mike. I’ve sent you an email.”

“Okay.”

“It’s in regards to that apartment block development.”

“Alright.”

“Give it a look. We’ll try steal a moment to discuss it today.”

“Sure thing, man.”

“Thanks.”

“By the way, how’s Eric and Alice holding up?”

“A mixture of excitement and nerves.”

Michael chuckled

“Alice, excited. Eric, nervous.” John cheekily added

“First time fatherhood.” they shared a knowing sigh, “Your baby bro will do just fine.”

“No doubt.”

“Anyway, I’ll see y’all in a few at the baby shower.”

“Awesome.”

“Let me go get Joy and the boys.”

“See you in a few, mate.”

“Cheers!”

Michael turned the ignition and shifted the car into gear. He cruised back home with his tunes playing. Him singing along; off key as ever.