Chapter 77: Potted plants

"I recommend something tangible like a mason jar of flowers, small enough that it doesn't seem like a big gesture. However something noticeable that they'll definitely be able to think of you when they look at it. Plus flowers are always romantic and good for celebrations", Jeffrey said holding the jar of small flowers.

His customer looked at him skeptically, he didn't look to convinced holding a small jar worth $18.

"So this is something you'd get your girlfriend", the customer asked Jeffrey.

"It's what I'd get for a close friend", Jeffrey replied the blood rising to his cheeks.

The kid wandered around some of the racks looking at the other small and tiny plants. Jeffrey waiting patiently if he had any questions.

After a quiet moment he said to Jeffrey, "We'll go with this jar". He was holding the small bubble vase in his hands.

"That's a good choice", Jeffrey affirmed his decision as they headed to the cash register.

Looking at some of the cards on the counter, the kid picked a plain small and white card and envelope with a red ribbon.

"That'll be $20", Jeffrey informed him.

"Thanks for the help", his customer replied.

"I'm just doing my job", Jeffrey said a little happy at being able to help a customer.

"Oh and by the way. If you ever need something bigger, like school dances, prom, birthdays, or perhaps party you're always welcome back", Jeffrey said with confidence.

"I will", the kid said walking out the door to the shop.

How successful his proposal would be Jeffrey didn't know, but he wished him the best of luck. After dealing with a few more customers Jeffrey and Kevin cleaned up the shop. Jeffrey swept up the dirt and footsteps of the previous visitors during the day, Susan started watering the plants and going through the checklists.

Soon the moment had arrived, Jeffrey stepped into Kevin's office where a small desk was placed in the room. A beige filing cabinet to the side and a motivational cat poster hung on the wall behind the desk. There were a few family photos, but overall the room was quite bare with a simple table lamp, some folders, papers and pens sitting on the desk.

Jeffrey sat in the chair waiting for his boss to come in.

The door creaked open behind him and Susan walked in, a pocket protector on her shirt, her hair in a bun and a pair on glasses in hand. Her glasses had a beaded string on the tips to help hold it in place.

"Hey Jeffrey", Susan greeted him

"Hey Mrs. Giliano", Jeffrey said with courtesy.

Susan unlocked the filing cabinet and reached into her folders.

"So it says here we'll need your parent signatures and for you to fill out these forms", she told him.

Jeffrey handed her a folder he had prepared the week before.

"Kevin handed me these papers when I started", Jeffrey offered.

"Oh did he now? He's so sweet", Susan talked about her business partner.

Looking over the forms she placed it with some files and grabbed her checkbook.

Hastily scribbling $133.25, Susan signed her signature and handed Jeffrey his first week's paycheck for working 13 hours.

Jeffrey was ecstatic to hold the first pay check he'd ever earned. It wasn't the first time Jeffrey held money as he worked to sell jars of slime and his science project, however it was the first time someone else paid him. It was one thing to work for himself, but Jeffrey felt a sense of validation and relief that it was someone's else responsibility to manage.

"Now the question was how was he going to spend it?", thought Jeffrey.

Previously Jeffrey scrapped and saved every single penny like a miser because it wasn't just his money he had to manage, he had to play banker and make sure his friends money was accounted for and that everyone got paid.

This money was solely his own and he had the freedom to decide how he was going to spend it rather than thinking about business expenses and taxes.

"Hmm...", thought Jeffrey. "More books, a bicycle, a computer, video games?", thought Jeffrey.

Those were all good ideas, but then Jeffrey thought better of it. He wanted something, more than money could buy, something that he wouldn't be able to get on birthdays, holidays, or for Christmas.

Jeffrey whispered something to Susan and she got really excited for him.

"Let's do it", she said as they both headed into the store.