15. Bonus Epilogue

Gene Mitchell

I knew I would lose my position as mayor to Justin Hoffer. I just didn't know how hard losing would hit me. Hoffer is now in charge, and he can choke on it.

It's early in the morning, and I'm waiting outside Blooming Blossoms for the owner, Lilah, to come in. I have a favor to ask her, but I don't know if she is one of the people that is against me. I wouldn't blame her if she were. I've been a bit of an asshole to this town for the past few years.

This is important, though, and I need her to do me this favor. I have a lot of soul-searching to do, but I can't do it here in this small town where every face I see shows only hatred for who I am and what I've done.

After fifteen minutes, Lilah arrives and opens her store for business. I get out of my car and enter the shop. Lilah is a beautiful young woman that a man like me could only dream of having as a girlfriend, much less a wife.

She's behind the counter arranging some promotional ads she has near her cash register and when the bells on the door play their music, she lifts up her head to see who it is. Her features don't change to distaste. Instead, I get a small smile and a nod as I approach the counter.

"I'm sorry, Mayor… I mean, Mr. Mitchell, I don't have your order ready yet. You usually come later in the afternoon to pick it up."

"Hi, Lilah. That's what I came here to talk about. I'm leaving town and need you to do me a favor."

"I'll help if I can. What do you need?"

"I need to go out of town for at least a month, and I need you to deliver the flowers to my mother at the hospice facility. I'll pay in advance for the arrangements, of course, but I would like you to go personally to deliver them."

"I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I can have the flowers delivered."

"Could you do it yourself? She's frail and isn't able to communicate with others. I'd rather someone kind like you go and leave the flowers and visit for five minutes with her."

"I don't know."

"I know I don't deserve any favors from you or anyone else in town, but I beg you, can you do this? It would mean a lot to me. The hospice is not that far away, but I can pay for your gas. I can pay for your time if need be, too."

"I didn't know you were getting the flowers for your mother. I thought you had a special person in your life."

"Yes, my mother. She's the only good thing I have in this world."

I take a card out of my pocket and hand it to her.

"Here's my contact information if you change your mind. Thanks for listening. You've always been kind to me, Lilah."

Her cheeks turn a rosy pink, and she lowers her eyes to avoid my gaze. She's so pretty. I wish I could deserve a woman like that. I'll have to change a lot in my life before that could be possible. I nod to Lilah, and I leave her looking uncertain.

I've been a bad man since my mother fell ill. It's no excuse, I know. If I ever want to return to this town, I need to make big changes in my life. I just hope my mother can forgive me.