Ficlets

“How can I help you?” I asked when I saw a man enter my store.
“I was looking for a painting. Something vibrant, colorful, exciting, full of passion. Have anything that fits under that list of adjectives?” the man asked. I stopped sketching and looked up at the man, then back down at my work.
“Of course I do,” I said, “Are you looking for elegant or a piece that is way out there and unexpected?”
“Way out there and unexpected, for sure.”
“Alright then. Walk with me.” I took him into the back room of the store and showed him all of the most lively and sparkling paintings we had. He chose the piece with a child drawing a flower in a vase. The colored pencils the child was using stood out most.
“Any particular reason you picked this one?” I asked.
“My wife loves to draw, and this painting reminded me of her. I think I’ll give it to her for her birthday.”
“Well, I’m sure she’ll enjoy it.” I said.
“Thank you,” he said.
“No, thank you,” and he was off.
I returned to my sketch, and off I worked