Seeing Without Eyes, a Short Story

Garrett Chase loved his independence, even though totally blind. He could see the difference between dark and light, but his sight didn't extend beyond that. It never held him back as he cooked his own meals and most of them a gourmand would have died to taste. His stove, set with Braille markers helped him in this endeavor. He dressed impeckably with good taste, picking his own clothing, always immaculate and well groomed. Besides all this, he owned and ran Chase's Florist Shoppe, a growing business that was fast becoming the best place to shop for flowers in the little town of Darwood, NC. Customers that didn't know him questioned his abilities, but the ones who trusted him never regretted using his shop and always returned.

"I don't want to appear prejudiced," Madeline protested to her friend Sally. "I just don't see how he can help me with flowers, if he can't see?"

"Ah, but wait until you meet Garrett. He'll surprise you. He doesn't need eyes to see beauty or understand nature. He is a fabulous florist and I promise you won't be disappointed."

Sally pulled on her friends arm dragging Madeline reluctantly into the little shop.

"Good morning Garrett! I've brought you a new customer."

Garrett smiled and asked, "And what is this lovely lady's name?"

Madeline looked shocked. "How did you know I was a woman?"

"Elementary, my dear lady." He sniffed the air. "I couldn't help but notice a combination of orange blossoms, bergamot, rose, mimosa, lily of the valley, also some vanilla, sandalwood, amber, iris, vetiver, and musk. Your choice of fragrance seems to be Gianfranco's Ferre. An Italian perfume. Am I correct?"

Sally laughed. "See I told you Madeline, he is not like other men."

"What an amazing talent!"

"No, its not talent, Miss Madeline. It is just being observant and using all ones senses. If a person wants to be a florist, then one should know all the wondrous floral aromas that fill the air." Garrett bowed slightly, please that he had suprised his new customer. "Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Do you need a bouquet of flowers for a bride, an arrangement for an elegant dining room table or perhaps an arrangement for a sick friend?"

"Oh no, Tomorrow is my Mother's birthday . She will be 55 tomorrow, although I'm sure she would rather I not say that." Madaline grinned to herself. "I'm not sure what to get her. Do you have any suggestion?"

"Can you describe her for me, please?" Garrett asked.

"Why yes! She's a brunette, about 5'6" tall, and of average weight."

She then thought why am I doing this?This man doesn't need to know all that infomation. She hesitated then said, Oh maybe just a mixed bunch of flowers would do quite well."

"No, I don't think so." Garret scratched his chin. "I've got a suggestion I think would suit her better."

"Oh really! What did you have in mind?" She thought, this ought to be good and chuckled under her breath..

"It is not a lauging matter dear lady. Your Mother deserves soemthing that matches her personality.Perhaps we could put together some lovely yellow tulips, that would symbolizes the sunshine in her smile. A tall Cattleya orchid could be added to accent her charm. Next we could use some lily of the valley for making your life complete and happy. Then we could yop it off with a small bunch of day lilies, the Chinese symbol for mother. Last but not least, a touch of blue violets to let her know you will always be true. Since she is a Pisces, and three of these are flowers for her sign, I'm sure she will love them."

"That sounds lovely. When could you have them ready?" Madeline asked.

"If you care to go shopping for her a gift and return within an hour, they will be waiting."

"Wonderful, we will be back then."

The two woman walked toward the door whispering. Sally said, "Didn't I tell you he's the greatest."

"Too bad he's blind. He's handsome too." Madeline remarked shaking her head.

*****

An hour later they returned and as they entered his shop the odor of tomato sauce, onions and garlic wafted through the air.

Madeline asked, "Wonder what that delicious smell is? Ummmm! That makes me hungry."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, he cooks too." Sally laughed.

"Hi Sally and Madeline! You lovely ladies are back sooner than I anticipated but your flowers are ready."

He felt the back counter touching each arrangement gently. He passed up two groups of flowers before picking the right basket up, and handing it to Madeline. "Here is you Mother's flowers I do hope they meet with your approval?" A grin flashed across his face.

"They are absolutely gorgeous. I know mother will love them. How much do I owe you?" Madeline opened her purse to removed her check book.

Garrett reached out, touching her hand as softly as if a falling leaf had landed on it.

"How about we make a trade? If you will honor me with your presence at lunch it would be a real pleasure for me to have guests and you'll owe me nothing. It's not often a loevly lady comes in, says I'm handsome, and likes the smell of my cooking too." He smiled "I won't accept no for an answer."

Madeline was embarrassed. "I'm so sorry, I didn't think you heard me nor I did I mean to imply that your handicap was ...ah."

"No apology necessary, I'm used to remarks like that." He smiled. "Driving a car is about the only thing I can't do. Fortunately, my assistant Joan delivers the flowers for me, but lots of people drive cars that have no business driving and can't see where they are going, or so I've been told." He laughed heartily. "You see, I don't have a handicap, really. It is sighted people that can't see. Please you and Sally must have lunch with me and I'll be glad to explain it further."

Madeline could hardly turn him down after what she had said, but she insisted on paying him for the flowers.

He walked to the front of the store, turned the card that said "OUT TO LUNCH" over and locked the door. He escorted the ladies to a beautifully set table in the back room where a small arrangement of roses sat in the center of the table.

"How did you know we'd accept?" Madeline asked astonished.

He laughed again. "I know Sally well; she loves my cooking. I also knew you'd feel guilty about what you said, after you knew I heard you. Besides I could hope couldn't I?"

He went to the table and pulled out a chair. "Please be seated ladies. The food is ready to come out of the oven."

They watched him remove Lasagna from the oven, then he extracted hot garlic bread to go with it. Placing each on the table, he went to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of red wine. His hand slid across the table with easy as he reached for each wine goblets. Tipping his head slightly he listened to the sound of the glass and poured each glass three-quarters full.

Garrett lifted his glass to propose a toast, "To good food, good wine, and good friends." The three of them clicked glasses, sipped the wine and then Garrett served their meal on beautiful porcelain plates.

When the three began to eat, he explained, "It is so unfortunate that people 'with' sight miss so much out of life. They think they are seeing the world but until you have lost your sight, you can't appreciate how many fabulous things there are around you. Each flower's aroma can touch your soul just as this food we eat wouldn't taste as good without the smell. We savor food with our noses, you know. Silk is soothing to the face or the fingers, furs tickle the nose. There is so much to feel that sighted people miss. Do you close your eyes when you kiss? Of course you do. It is the feeling of the kiss you enjoy, not the sight before your eyes. Have you ever listened to a tea pot singing, oatmeal or a savory sauce plopping on top of the stove? Even music sounds better with your eyes closed. Don't you agree?"

Madeline nodded, "I never thought of it that way before."

Garrett grinned in pride. "I can tell you're smiling by the sound of your voice; however, there is more. Have you ever eaten a meal with your eyes closed? Not only will the taste be magnified a 1000 time, but the texture enhances the meal. When you feel the onions, garlic, basil, oregano and other spice, along with the meat in this casserole on your tongue. That is when you enjoy the meal.Cclose your eyes, take a bite and try it for yourself."

Madeline closed her eyes and tasted her food. "You're right, it does taste better that way."

"So why do you think food tastes better by candle light? Is it because you can't see I? The answer is that texture and smell take over your senses. You don't have to see it."

They all laughed.

When the meal was finished. Sally was the first one to speak. "This has been great, but Madeline if you're going to your Mom's, you need to get moving."

Madeline turned toward Garrett and reached for his hand. "It was sweet of you to ask us for lunch, but mother does lives sixty miles away, and I do need to leave. Believe me it has been a refreshing afternoon. Thank you so much for the food, the flowers, and most of all for the lesson in seeing. My eyes will see things in a different light from now on."

Garrett gently squeezed her delicate hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it softly. "It was my pleasure to have you here, I assure you, Miss Madeline. Please come again soon. I would love to get to know you better and you're always more than welcome."

"We'll see! Oh ... I'm sorry, Garrett. I didn't mean to say that..."

"Don't worry about it! People say that all the time." He unlocked the door. As the two friends exited the shop, Garrett turned the OPEN sign over once more.

*****

Outside the two friends hugged and Madeline told her friend, "You were right. He isn't like ANY man I've ever met. I see what you're talking about now."

"Hmmm! Do you now?"

"Yes, I do." Madeline laughed out loud. "More than you know! You were up to matchmaking me again. However, this time I really didn't mind. Garrett is a real charmer and meeting him was a true learning experience. From now on I'll judge people by what they are, not by what they appear to be. I was the one that was blind. I realize now there is more to seeing than just openingyour eyes."