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she always learned quickly. that was a gift she had had since she was little. most kids didn't like to go to work with their parents but Juni loved to see how skillfully her mother worked with delicate flowers and plants. she had a soft touch and an even softer demeanor. Juniper had always admired her, even during the times when her mom was at her lowest, she had always given Juniper one hundred percent of her love.

the girl observed everything quietly, soaking in knowledge like a sponge that had no limits.

when her mother arranged bouquets, she'd sometimes let Juniper do some on the side with the extra flowers she pulled out in case she messed up. Juni observed and she learned. she knew how to work with different types of flowers to make something breathtaking and beautiful.

but Juniper was aware that not everything her mother did was beautiful. there had been occasions when she saw teary- or red-eyed women come into the store quietly. her mother always saw them before any of her employees did and she would take them to the back room, closing the door behind them.

after a few minutes passed, both her mother and the woman would emerge, the woman usually pocketing a small glass bottle and her mother smiling reassuringly or encouragingly. Juniper didn't know exactly what was going on, but she observed and she learned.

when her aunt and older cousin came in to meet with her mother, Juniper was also there. the three women disappeared into the back room. she could sometimes hear Aunt Jacinta raising her voice just a little bit. she strained to hear, to catch pieces of phrases. she couldn't really.

the other employees continued to work, seemingly ignoring everything. it was best to mind one's own business, after all.

but Juniper had never been able to do that. no, she wanted to learn everything that she could. she wanted to be just like her mom.