Maggie and I decided to call her around 11am to see if we could set up a meeting, not knowing if she would even answer her phone on a Sunday. But we both felt like it was important to contact her, so Maggie hesitantly made the call.

Maggie put the phone on speaker and we both held our breath as the phone began to ring.

“Bonjour!” We both immediately recognized Mama’s Creole accent.

“Mama, this is Maggie and Jim and I’ve got Jim on the speaker phone!”

“Hi Mama,” I said.

Cackling and giggling coming over the phone speaker, Mama said, “Oh, my two lovies, what a fine and pleasant surprise!”

More cackling laughter.

Maggie and I looked at each other as I shrugged my shoulders and gestured to her to go ahead.

“Hi Mama, so sorry to bother you at home on a Sunday morning, but Jim came home Friday night with the most amazing story, and well, uh, we…”

More laughter and cackling on the speaker phone.

“Oh yes, Jimmy came to the shop for more than just flowers!”