The Day the Flowers Died Read Online Free PDF

sandwich into tiny pieces, then placed one into her mouth,
savoring each taste.
    When they finished with lunch, he waved away the waiter’s offer
for coffee.
    “The meal was delicious.  Thank you so much, Eli.”
    “It was my pleasure.” Eli picked up the tab and they ambled
towards their apartment building.  Rebecca let go of Eli’s
hands just before he opened the door to the brown brick
building.
    “So, I’ll see you later.  I have to get going.  My
parents are expecting me to visit them this weekend,” Rebecca
reminded.
    “Yes, of course.  I almost forgot. I’ll see you later
then.” Eli reached to her cheek and kissed her once. Rebecca turned
away to hail a cab and, before she jumped into it, she glanced at
Eli to find him still watching her.
    “Thank you again for the tulip.  It’s lovely,” she said,
then the cab door shut and she disappeared.  When the cab
drove up to Rebecca’s home just outside of Munich, she felt that
familiar knot in her stomach, hoping to avoid another argument with
her mother this time. The driver stopped in front of a large,
lavish home on a street filled with other large, lavish homes. It
had been several months since her last visit, before meeting Eli. A
maid in black garb and a white apron rushed out the front doors,
waving and calling out to Rebecca.
    “It’s good to have you back with us.” She spoke with a light
Austrian accent, her blond red hair twisted underneath her white
bonnet and only strands of it escaped around her face.
    “Mildred!” Rebecca’s smile widened and she hugged her.
    “No luggage, Ms. Baum?”
    “Please call me Rebecca. Just because I’ve moved out, Mildred,
it doesn’t mean you have to go back to formalities.” Mildred’s
rounded cheeks puffed pink from the cold weather.
    “Yes, Rebecca,” she said with a servitude tone.  A tall man
with a receding gray-blond hairline stumbled out of the front doors
and embraced Rebecca.
    “Papa!” Rebecca kissed him on the cheek and he took her hand as
they walked together.
    “The daughter whom I haven’t seen in ages.”
    “It’s only been a couple months.”
    “You’re going to have to tell us all about your adventures in
Munich and University. Your mama is excited to talk with you. She
found someone you’ll really like.”
    “Papa, I don’t need setting up,” she declared through gritted
teeth, “Besides, I’ve already found someone.” Her voice
softened.
    “Really? You’re going to have to bring him home sometime and let
us meet him.” Father and daughter stopped inside the entryway,
where she took off her coat.
     A tall woman wrapped in a long, grey, silky dress walked
through a swinging door and into the entryway, arms extended.
“Rebecca.” She glided over to her daughter and kissed her once on
each cheek.
    “Mutti.” Rebecca tried to ease the tension inside as she hugged
her.
    “I’ve found someone for you,” she whispered into her daughter’s
ears. “He comes from a long line of strong German ancestry. 
His family is well off and he is so polite and well mannered. 
You’re going to love him.”
    “Mutti, slow down.” Rebecca rushed her words, “As I was telling
Papa…I’ve found someone in Munich.”
    “Ah!” Her mother shook Rebecca’s arm in delight.  “Courted
by two men.  Maybe there is hope for you yet, my
darling.  You’re going to have to let us meet this stranger,”
she rushed her thoughts in excitement, “Perhaps this
Christmas.  It’s coming up quickly.”
    “Perhaps, Mutti.  I’ll have to see what he’s doing. 
He’s a lawyer and they get busy.” Rebecca offered the detail of
Eli’s profession early, hoping to soothe her mother’s expectations
and satiate her appetite for more details.  But this
information only teased her mother for more.  She walked with
Rebecca, holding onto her arm, into the dining area for a proper
discussion.  Rebecca’s father headed into his study to read,
wanting to avoid his wife’s