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Clarke scoffed, feeling ready to throw up at the idea of working at the office of a plastic surgeon, which is what she kneas froery himself "Mother, I own a flower shop I do not need a job," Clarke explained, feeling annoyed Herher own business much less a flower shop She didn't see any money or security in it Nor was it a practical job like hers

"I thought you ive that up now, but I can see you're still in denial"

Clarke felt her face getting hot as she reached the street to turn on to get to the shop She was on the ho up on hervery well, Mother, even if you haven't noticed And ould I think of giving it up? If I did then I'd be a quitter, Mother You know, like Dad was?" Clarke said harshly How could that woman be so contradictory?

The conversation couldn't have ended sooner as Clarke hit the end button on her dashboard and looked up in horror as she approached her flower shop She pulled the car to a screeching stop and got out, her hands on either side of her face with her lass she could see fla her flowers and her shop She looked around as she felt a tug on her sleeve as Katie pulled her back Another associate; Rita and a couple of custo next to her They retreated to the front of a costume shop across the street as Clarke heard the sirens that meant the fire department was close by The fire hadn't spread over to other businesses yet, but they were beginning to evacuate too, and she felt like she was the center of attention in the worst possible way

As she watched her hard work and the last way she had to earn her o up in fla her back to co for the firemen to stop the fire, and the chief came out to speak to her with soot still on his face "Are you the owner?" the man asked with a deep southern drawl Clarke nodded and stepped forward

"Can you tell what in the world caused this? Did so down on her chest But she couldn't think of anyone with any reason to hurt the business other than her et her hands dirty that way Or would she?