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Ed was working his usual schedule at his tattoo parlor. He, as long as he lived, had a random passion for flowers, especially orchids. They were his favorite. So with that passion, he had an idea at work. He would go to the florist and buy orchids to give to his customers after they had gotten their tattoo. So, as he planned, he went to the florist early in the morning and bought some orchids. When he got back, he put them in a vase with water and waited. He finally got a customer and he was excited to give him the surprise. “So, what would you like today?” Ed asked. “I would like an orchid on my right arm," the customer said. “You like orchids?” Ed asked as he grabbed his tattoo gun. “Yes as a matter of fact I do!” the customer said. Ed started to draw the tattoo on his arm while the customer said, “Ouch!”. “Are you okay?” Ed asked. “Yup! I’ve gotten many tattoos before.” “So what is your name?” Ed asked. “Stede,” he said. “Well Stede, I think you are very pretty today.” “Thank you very much! I tried to get ready fast so I could get here then go to work,” Stede said. “Well I think you did a great job in such little time,” Ed said. As Ed continued to draw the orchid, he stared into Stede’s eyes, mesmerized. Suddenly, he felt his hand shake. He zoned back in and saw that he made a squiggle on accident. “Oh my god I’m so sorry!” Ed said. “It’s perfectly ok! As a matter of fact, I kind of like it more this way. It’s… What's the word… Abstract!” Stede said, elated. Ed stayed focused the rest of the time and finished the tattoo.
“It's beautiful!” Stede said delightfully. “You really think so?” Ed asked. “Of course! Like I said, abstract art. Even the most popular art pieces are abstract or have mistakes! Take the Mona Lisa for example. Leonardo Da Vinci had to have made many mistakes and yet here it stands, the most popular art piece of all time.” “Wow, I guess I never thought about it that way. Thanks Stede!”. “Any time Ed,” Stede started to walk out of the building and Ed quickly remembered, “HEY STEDE!” Ed yelled while he was about to leave. “Yes?” “Here! An orchid.” “Thank you very much!” Stede said. Stede walked away and Ed watched as Stede walked to his car in the beautiful sunlight. When Stede had left the building, Ed murmured something to himself. “He is just… Amazing.” Ed got a few more customers but none of them were as special as Stede. He had finally completed his shift and realized he had run out of orchids.
