4 Chapter 4 - Lily The Cheerful Floris (1/2)
Portland
A beautiful city upriver from the Pacific Ocean on the Columbia. Though much of downtown Portland is relatively flat, the foothills of the Tualatin Mountains, more commonly referred to locally as the ”West Hills”, pierce through the northwest and southwest reaches of the city.
Another crowded city I'm going to stay. I work as a librarian at Multnomah Country Library- Hollywood. I was lucky enough, the payment at the library is higher than the payment in Seattle. I rent a small room in a small minimalist house where a couple of old Mr and Mrs. Cash live in. They were very nice to me, but to be honest I like myself alone then sharing the house, got no choice because it was the only option I got. The apartment in Portland near the library is too pricey.
I explored a lot during my time in Portland, they're countless. Each city has their own uniqueness. Sometimes I spend the whole night in the park, eating ice cream and enjoying some attractions by the clowns.
I lean my head to the bench, looking up to the sky. The night sky is how I wish to fly, the beautiful stars filled the sky in blinking white bulb, but I can't see the moon up there. The wind blows my hair covered my face, I sit straight, sweep my hair and bun them up. I lift my left arm, looking at my watch, it's 10 o'clock. I should head home before Mr and Mrs Cash fell asleep.
***
The next stop, as I've planned.
San Fransisco.
I swept my sweat with tissue from my pocket, still holding my fat tote –bag with documents in my left shoulder. I just left the Supermarket I applied few hours ago. I wasn't accepted, don't even know why.
”hey” a soft voice from behind, her hand hold my shoulder for a little while.
I turned my head to look, there stood a woman with long dark brown hair and perfect natural arched eyebrows, her eyes are brown and eyelashes are naturally curled up. She is a beautiful woman.
”You are looking for a job right ? I'm looking for an employee in my Florist” her smile is so friendly.
I follow her to the Flower Shop she owns, it's 8 o'clock in the evening. The street lights are flashing on, the city is crowded by the walking pedestrians.
”by the way I am Lily Duce. You can call me Lily” she slower her steps so I can catch her up, now we are walking side by side.
”I'm Steffi” I replied her, trying to smile as friendly as I could.
”where do you stay?” she asked randomly, fixing her black coat's collar into the right place.
”I'm still looking for a place to stay, I just arrived 2 days ago, so I sleep in the motel near the supermarket.... just for temporary” I replied her awkwardly, sounds so pathetic.
Her expression changed, her forehead's wrinkling
”You can live with me, Steffi. I am alone in the house”
My eyes widened, I'm so glad I finally found a perfect place to stay, I don't even need to walk. And I can make it on time too.
I squeezed her hands, ”Thanks !” thanking her with excitement. She chuckled femininely,
”that's okay. I am the one should thank you. I've been so lonely all this time” she rolled her eyes and lifted her pointers making a half circle.
”You know, I have to do all the things alone. Anyway I just moved out from my parents a year ago. So ..here we...are”
Lily stops and turn her body to the left, there is a house with 2 floors, the door is made of wood painted in pink with a glass so I can see through inside the dark shop. When Lily push the door, an artificial bird chirping. Lily turns the lights on, several warm white bulbs brightly lit, the flowers are colorful and fresh, the ceiling of the shop is made of glass. I can see the stars shimmering, the sky is in dark navy and the clouds are moving slowly where the moon is hiding.
”Here Steffi, you need to see your room first before you move in tomorrow” Lily leads me to the back door. When the back door pushed, the small room exposed, it's not wide, but very cozy. We go through the small stairs, there's a short hallway leading us to 3 rooms, left, right and the straight one with small wooden name carved LILY hanging on the door.
”that one is mine” Lily pointed straight
”this is yours, the better one with pink wall. It suits you” she giggles, pushing the left room's door. Then I can see a small and cozy room painted in pink, a mini wooden dresser, and 1 side wardrobe. The single bed is covered with silky shocking pink bedcover.
”I love it here Lily, thanks !” keep thanking her, this is more than enough
”but how much?” I asked, hoping she won't charge me too expensive.
”Don't mind that” Lily lower her voice and swing her hand.
Long short story, Lily won't charge me the room. She told me she is so lonely and been looking for an employee for her florist, her previous employee just left 3 weeks ago. Lily sent me to the bus stop, I wave goodbye as the bus departs, she waves back to me.
I work as florist along my time in San Fransisco. I learn how to arrange flowers' bouquet, Lily taught me, she is always there with me at the shop, rarely go out, his boyfriend is the one that come over everyday, sometimes stay the night. When he did, I feel like a third wheel between them.
Back to that day, when I saw Jake and Lily in the kitchen.
”err... Lily I think I am sleepy. I will go to bed... bye” I fake yawned, I took a step to the stair. Lily hold my t-shirt tight and won't let me go.
”You liar ! stay with us here. We are making pizza ! it's just 7 in the evening !” she clenched her jaw
”Yes Steffi. Stay with us, sleeping is for looser” Jake smiles widely, his hand is stirring the pot.
Lily is very kind, sometimes she cooks for me, and I will do the same in the other day. She is an easy going person, and I like her that way. We grow trust on each other and finally get along as bestfriends.
One day, she approaches me crying. She told me Jake ended their relationship, told Lily that he is bored of her. They have been dating for 3 years.
She covers her face with her hands, I can see tears dripping down like waterfall.
”Lily what would you like to do?” I hope I can cheer her up. She doesn't reply me, her crying is both ferocious and noisy. She blinked briny tears from bloodshot eyes, her lashes stuck together in clumps as if she's been swimming. The tears made wet tracks down his face and dripped, her chin wobbling.
”Lily?” I touched her back and pat her softly. I became speechless seeing her like this, I have no experience in cheering people, but I don't want to see Lily suffering like this. I plan to bring her somewhere. I rub my forehead, trying to figure something out.
”Lily, I'm really sorry”
I move closer to Lily and wrapped my arms around her shoulders and give her a gentle tap.
An idea came up, ”Should we go to karaoke?” she loves singing and dancing.
Lily lift her head looking at me, her eyes widened and looking so excited, her wet brown eyes shining by the low brightness bulb above us, her face is soggy.
”WE SHOULD GO !” she shouted, slamming her fists on the table.
”LET'S KILL THIS NIGHT” she yelled.
I can't sing, I should consider before asking her to go. I imagine myself singing in false tone, it would be extremely embarrassing. But then, thinking of Lily, as long as she is happy, I guess it's fine. I will just let her sing alone.
Lily rushed to the back door, changing her outfits.
The night in San Fransisco,
Lily drove her Nissan King Crab Pickup, she told me this is a birthday gift from Jake last year. Lily seems sad but she is fine now, I'm glad she's not that hard to persuade.
An hour ago, Lily rushed out with metallic green spaghetti tank and black pencil skirt, with 15cm black high-heels. She is perfect for a night out, but we are going to the karaoke right ? She supposed to wear a hoodie and leggings.
”alright don't look at me like that” Lily rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.
”we are going to the bar and...” Lily stretched her arms to reach me and pull me to the back door, bring me to her bedroom. Her bedroom is a mess, the wardrobe is hanging open with all the clothings scattered around. Lily bent her body and show me a short spaghetti dress in maroon.
”I'm not gonna wear that” I lift my palm, shake it rapidly.
Lily rolled her eyes,
”Ah come on Steffi. Let's have some fun, don't be a grandma ! ” Lily insisted.
The bar is hundreds of conversations in loud voices with the DJ music that dominates the atmosphere. The crowd is from young until grown up adults of women and men. Lily leads me the way through the crowds, sometimes grossed of the people's sweat I accidentally skinned with, we stopped by the bartender. To be honest I hate the bars, my first time is with Rony's classmates. It's too noisy and crowded, I hate it.