Spring has sprung, and with it, smiley faces. When yellow crocuses bloom all over town in the shape of an emoji during April’s first warm days, reporter Nero Storm is sent out to discover their meaning and origin.<br><br>Nero has little to smile about himself, what with dysfunctional family drama and a tragic love life. The previous fall, it seemed as if he might have finally met the man of his dreams in dog daddy, ride share operator, and charity organizer Z. Though the two spent but ten morning and evening car rides together, sparks flew. Unfortunately, at the end of that time, Nero witnessed a crime, and Z disappeared.<br><br>Now, as the rest of the world looks forward to a new beginning promised by spring, Nero is left to wonder. Are the smiley face flowers a message for him, and will he ever see Z’s smile again for real?

21 Smiles

“Your father swears he doesn’t even know why you’re angry this time,” Mom told me.


A second napkin fell victim to my frustration.


“And you sound like you’re interviewing a criminal who’s just been indicted,” she said.


I took a breath and pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose. “I don’t mean to. I’m just curious. If you and Dad planted the flowers for me, I want to hear the whole story, from idea to digging.” The timeline actually worked. They had that part right, too. A six month waiting period for a fancy apology was rather inconsiderate when a quick ecard could have started the wounds healing quicker, though. “Did you call in to the station, or did you just assume someone else would?”


“How did you keep it to yourself?” Carmen wanted to believe my mother. She hadn’t known her as long as I had. “I would have squealed to someone. No one invites me to surprise parties anymore.”


“This afternoon is the first I’m hearing of it,” Toni said.


Chapter 12