It’s 5:30AM. The sun is peeking out over the horizon and the dogs on the neighbors’ lawns are barking. The grass is wet from morning dew and the neighborhood was stirring. About an hour later Xavier was running out the door for work while saying bye to his grandma and grandpa. He might work at a flower shop, but he was the best at making sure things got done. He got into that old, rickety truck and backed out of the driveway, and turned the truck onto the street which lacked people this early.

Xavier parked in an empty spot by the shopping center and went inside the shop. He wore a plain black sleeveless top and fitting jeans. His hair was down that day and he was arranging a bouquet into neat fluent and floral colors and textures mixing. He had gotten right to work as he was on the morning shift. He swept, wiped down windows front and back, and opened the store sharply at 7AM.

He was in the back around 7:34 when the second staff member came in for the day. His name’s Dan. Dan’s nice enough, and he usually works the register because his eyes are more welcoming than a giant.