Point of View: In his Eyes

Trigger warning: domestic violence

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire creating a warm feeling inside my chest contrasting the cold blowing wind.

"Welcome Autumn!" I exclaimed and extended my arms as if I am a bird ready to fly. I start to walk as I notice the neighboring kids preparing for Halloween. Their laughs and the scent of the autumn leaves flowing on the air as the winds blow fills my heart. Does that sound corny? Well...that's me...and my reason why girls don't like me. Laughs.

I am Jimmy Walker...32 years old and still single. I managed my small flower shop ...though the business isn't going pretty good I still struggle to continue with it because it was a memory left by my mother.

"Good morning Mr. Walker," The old woman carrying a basket of hot fresh-baked loaves while standing in front of her bakery greeted. She always said it with a warm smile as I walk towards my Flower Shop. She never fails to greet me even though people look at me weirdly. Well, that is how people work...look at you weirdly or gossip about your personal life just because they have so much on their hands, I can say it's our way to not notice our shortcomings.

"Good morning Mrs. Johnsons," I said and smile back at her. Upon entering my store I found Kristoph laying on the bench inside the shop.

"Wake up now Kristoph, It's already time to work!" I said and pull him up. He just lazily yawn and stretch his body before greeting me back.

"Good morning Mr. Walker," He said in between yawns. I just nod at him and put my apron on. I pulled out some Chrysanthemums, Perennial Sage, Rudbeckia, Dahlias, and some Goldenrods and place them on my table. I carefully cut some of their stems and leaves and arrange them according to my mom's design.

"It sure is a busy day isn't it Mr. Walker?" Kristoph said.

"Yes, I saw the kids busily preparing for tomorrow's Halloween with excited eyes. I wonder what visitors will visit us tomorrow" I said when my shop's door opens.

"Oh well, you got to wonder how you'll please this beautiful lady first Mr. Walker. Wish you luck!" Kristoph said as our regular customer walk inside while scanning the flowers. Her eyes are still as clear as the sky, her reddish hair is waving in the air as those autumn leaves falling from the trees and her smile is still as blinding as the sun. No wonder she stole my heart from the very first time I saw her enter this humble shop of mine.

"G-Good morning Ms. Swan" I greeted as I was welcome by her dazzling smile and fluttering eyes. 

"Good morning Mr. Walker," She said with a wide smile making my heart race while Kristoph is teasingly looking at me. She then pulls out something inside her bag and hands it to me. 

"Mrs. Liberty asked me to get this from you," She said and showed me a paper with a list of different flowers. Mrs. Liberty is the head nun in that orphanage just 3 blocks away from my shop. I used to be under her care until mom was treated and the beautiful Ms. Swan here is one of the kids who grow up in that orphanage though I don't get to meet her back when I was still a child.

"O-OH, YES, YES...She already told me about these flowers...Sorry, give me a moment Ms. Swan" I said and clumsily run towards the place where the flowers are located. I even stumble on the pail of water along the way gaining a small laugh from the guy standing at the bench. 

"Don't panic, It's organic Mr. Walker" He said teasingly. I just look at him and proceeds. After a few minutes of choosing the flowers listed on the paper, I wrap it up with some old newspaper and hand it to her.

"Here you go. Ms. Beaut---I mean...Ms. Swan" I stuttered again as I hand her the flowers.

"Just tell her you like her Mr. Walker" Kristoph whisper making me hissed at him. Ms. Swan look at the way where Kristoph is and look at me quizzically.

"Oh, It's nothing just ignore him," I said but Ms. Swan just flutters her eyes and nod thanking me for the flowers. I walk towards Kristoph and whisper

"Stop with that stupidity of yours!" I hissed but he just smiles at me playfully as I walk Ms. Swan out of the shop.

"Thank you again, Ms. Swan...Please forgive that guy by the bench" I said. He look at me and flutters her eyes again before smiling at me. She looks over at Kristoph who is still smiling at us and said.

"You've got a happy guy with you! He's always smiling" I just smile at her and thanked her again I saw her walk away towards the arm of a man, as I watch her from afar. I like her...no, maybe I love her more than anything in this world but I am happy to just look and watch from afar. That is enough for a 32-year-old single man.

The day starts and the day end. I wake up earlier than usual because of the loud voices laughing and screaming excitedly outside my house. Oh yes, It's Halloween! I did my usual morning routine and walk from my house to my flower shop. The autumn leaves are still painted on the ground and the autumn breeze still filling the town.

"Trick or Treat!" 2 kids exclaimed and hand their pumpkin basket towards me. I smile at them and put two chocolate bars in their baskets as they smile at me revealing their 1 missing tooth.

"Don't forget to brush your teeth" I reminded when their mom called them with a worried look. I smile at her but as usual, she just shrugs her shoulders and coldly look at me.

"Still the same morning Mr. Walker" Mrs. Johnsons said with her usual smile.

"Same indeed!" I exclaimed and sigh. I open my shop and as usual that Kristoph is lazily sleeping on the bench and so I did the same thing. When I heard 2 voices coming from the small gap between my shop and Mrs. Johnsons's bakery so I walk towards it and check it out. I saw Ms. Swan with her lover quarreling over something I don't know. And just before Ms. Swan finished her words a slap landed on her face making me furious!

"HEY!" I exclaimed gaining their attention.

"What do you think you're doing?!" I said and pull Ms. Swan behind me.

"Don't butt in you psycho!" He exclaimed angrily. Really? After what he did to this beautiful lady I am the one he's calling a psycho?! 

"Aren't you the one who hurt her?! If you don't know how to treasure a woman with her worth, don't court her in the first place" I said making him furious.

"Bastard!" He said and throw a punch at me. I was about to punch him but Ms. Swan stop me.

"No, Mr. Walker," She said in between sobs. I exhale audibly and glared at the guy who slapped the love of my life. How come she stays with him despite him hurting her? I am here...I can be your lover! The guy strode away leaving us two. I spat the blood out of my mouth and look at her.

"Are you okay? Oh Shit! Your cheek is swollen. Come inside my shop I have Ice to cool that swollen cheek." I said and pulled her by the wrist but she pulls away from me and shakes her head.

"No, Mr. Walker, I still have to talk to him. This is all just a misunderstanding" She said and walk away.

"Ms. Swan!" I called but she never turns back. I walk gloomily inside my flower shop and there I saw Kristoph with his usual bright smile standing beside Billy with pitiful eyes.

"Good morning Jimmy" Billy greeted but I just walk past him and didn't pay him much of my attention. Why is he here anyway? Ever since I met him back when I was 10 years old things starts to go wrong. I was ignored by my classmates back in elementary school up to high school, Mom got hospitalized, I was transferred to an orphanage, and dad was killed.

"I know, You are looking for me Jimmy," He said with somber eyes. I look at him and smile.

"Why do you appear at such perfect times?" He just smiles at me and said.

"Because I am a friend who will always be with you in these times. When no one is around you, when you are in pain and when you desperately need someone." He said.

Oh well, that was true. Strangely, He is always there with his usual neat appearance which gives a vibe that he is a wealthy and well-educated person. He was always with me in these gloomy days, comforting and staying by my side. 

I remember back on the day that I found dad bleeding on the floor...Mom is not around because she's still tending the shop. Without anyone to help me, Billy was there standing beside me firmly holding my hand. He has his usually calm face doing nothing but just standing beside me. I remember him tightly holding my hands as he leads me to where my mom is and upon seeing dad dead on the floor of our house mom collapsed and that's all I remember. After that, I woke up inside the orphanage. Mrs. Liberty said that mom was in the hospital and need to stay there for a few days. I waited and waited... but mom never comeback. I don't know if mom died or if mom was still alive living her life after leaving me. Actually, It was fine as long as she's happy.

"So is it about that lady called Maria Swan?" Billy said pulling me out of my trance.

"How do you know about that?" I asked but he just shrugs his shoulders and said

"I know everything going around you, Jimmy. I'm your one and only best friend" He said making me sMILE.

"Thanks," I said and pour her a cup of tea.

"So tell me more about her buddy," He said while sipping the tea I prepare for him.

"Well...I fell in love with her ever since the day I met her. It was the same day as this. Her reddish hair is flowing in the air like falling leaves of autumn and with her fluttering eyes and dazzling smile I got trapped inside her box of charms." I said. I heard him chuckle as he wipes his spilled drink with a tissue.

"You're still as corny as ever," He said making me mad.

"You told me to tell more about her so put up with it," I said. He just says he's sorry and let me continue.

"Remember that time when I was in the orphanage and somehow everyone is avoiding me?" I asked. Billy just nods and look at me. 

"I do. I was with you at that time" 

"Yeah, Ms. Swan is Mrs. Liberty's adopted child"

"Oh really? That monstrous pig of a lady?" Billy exclaimed, surprised at my words.

"Hey! Mrs. Liberty is a kind lady. Except you, she is the only one who talks to me" I said. But he just rolls his eyes at me.

"And then what? What did she do? She separated us. Ever since that day we rarely talk to each other. I rarely meet you face to face" He complained but I just shrug my shoulder. 

"She's still kind" 

"Whatever, so back on our topic. What happened just a little while ago?" He asked.

"Oh yeah, Ms. Swan had a lover and I saw them quarrel and he slapped her! I was so furious that I want to punch that asshole in the face but Ms. Swan stopped me, telling me that it's all just a misunderstanding and she has to talk to him. Can you believe that?! After those hurtful words he said to her and that slap, she still wants to talk to him and get back with him?!" I complained and bang my hand on the table furiously. My chest is heaving up and down. Then I felt a ball of rage is forming inside my throat making it hard to breathe.

"Calm down buddy," Billy said and It strangely made me calm.

"You just have to persuade her that she's being used by trash and that she's better off without him. With that, you can finally grab the opportunity and impress her." He said. I look at her and somehow I am being convinced but.

"NO! There is no way Ms. Swan will like me" I said but Billy look at me and sigh. He places down the empty cup of tea and said.

"Do you want to see your love of your life suffer for the rest of her life?" He said.

"No" I answered as if I am being drawn by him.

"Then you should do it as we planned. Just like the same way we did to make your mom happy!" He said and smile. I look at him and smile.

"I understand."

After that long chat with Billy. I close the shop earlier than usual. I did the things that Billy instructed me to. Ever since we met he is always the one who came up with a plan and fortunately it is always a success. So just like what he told me I went to Mr. Cedrick Capooli's house, Ms. Swan's lover, and talk to him. After talking to him...I knocked some sense on him and he promised that he'll never lay a hand on Ms. Swan again. I gratefully exited his house and he even lends me a pair of new coat and pants since mines got filled with his cat's fur. I smile back at him and sincerely apologize again. It was raining and thankfully I have my umbrella with me, which was given by Billy back when I was still a child.

"How's it, buddy?" Billy asked as if waiting for a good news

"Things went smoothly thanks buddy," I said and hug him. 

"Go on! You still have to talk to Ms. Swan the love of your life right?" hE REMIND ME.

"Oh yeah! Thanks again Billy, See you around!" I said and run towards Ms. Swan's house.

After a few minutes of walk-run. I finally arrived at the Liberty Foundation. The orphanage where I used to stay with Billy. I press the doorbell and luckily it was Ms. Swan who answered the door.

"Good evening Ms. Swan" I greeted. She smiles at me and greets back.

"Come in...I'm sure mother will be happy" She added but I decline. Because if I have to say my feelings it has to be now or else I won't be able to say it.

"No, No. I-I just came here to ah...um...I-invite you for...for a dinner" I said. Her brows were mashed but she's still smiling. Maybe confused because of my stuttering words

"What for?"

"It's for...Ah...actually I have to say something...But...um...May I have the pleasure to invite you for a dinner? Just to...just to thank you for everything." I said and luckily, she said yes. We walk around the town but most of the restaurants are already closed so we decided to just buy a take out food and eat it in my shop. We both talk about almost everything, thank her, and appreciate our time together. Until I finally had the chance to tell my feelings for her.

"Um...Ms. Swan...I know that you just broke up with your lover but... Um...I want to have the privilege to go out with you as your lover." I said with a cross finger. Her eyes were full of confusion making me lower my head.

"No...I'm sorry...I can't go out with you" She said making my body feel numb. My heart sunk at the pit of my stomach and my body froze on the spot. I saw Billy looking at us through the glass door outside my shop and Ms. Swan is still sitting in front of me...My sight got darker as I try to spit the words out of my mouth.

"But...I..."

"Just kidding!" Ms. Swan said making me sigh in relief. I saw her still looking at me with her usual bright smile. The rain has also stopped and the smell of flowers invaded my senses.

"What?" I asked bewildered.

"I said I was kidding! I like you too...Please be with me forever" She said. A warm feeling wrapped my heart as I lift her up and kissed her. She kissed me back deeper as our feeling finally connect. I gaze back to where Billy is. He's still outside the shop looking at us proud and happy.

"I love you" I whisper.

"I love you too." She said as our kiss got deeper and deeper. I lay her on the bed of flowers...Our body is grinding against each other. I can't believe my dream has finally come true.

"You're finally mine, Ms. Swan...And forever mine." I said.

There is a part 2 of this story. Point of View, Part Two: In her eyes

and A Part 3. Point of View, Part Three: In the strangers' eyes