Abe Bloom's Arc

Chapter 3 of 3

Abe walked to the market square, his coin pouch lighter than before. He needed vases and ribbons for his shop. The square bustled with vendors selling tools, fabric, and food. He stopped at a pottery stall and bought six clay vases in different sizes. At the next booth, he picked out spools of ribbon—red, blue, and yellow. A festival would need color, and he had to be ready when the announcement came. Past the market, he spotted a building with bright paint and soft pillows visible through the windows. A sign read "Rainbow Haven." People streamed in and out, carrying papers and talking about events. Abe pushed through the door. Inside, voices filled the warm space as townspeople discussed plans around a fireplace. He approached a woman holding a stack of papers. "I run Bloomin' Flowers," he said. "I want to supply flowers for Vale's festivals." She nodded and wrote his name down. "We'll let you know when the next one comes up." On his way back, Abe passed a statue covered in pink flowers. He stopped to read the small plaques tucked between the petals. Each one had a name—vendors who had built successful businesses and helped their neighbors. His chest tightened. One day, his name could be there. One day, people would know him as the flower vendor who made Vale's celebrations bloom. He returned to his shop and set the vases on the shelves. The ribbons went into a basket by the door. Everything was in place now—the greenhouse, the workspace, the supplies, and the contact at Rainbow Haven. Abe looked around his shop and smiled. Vale's festivals would need flowers, and he'd be the one to provide them.