Camri was a fairy of habit, every morning, brewing a blend of floral tea for the other citizens of the forest. There were many rumors of the medicinal drinks curing ailments in the sick flower fairies, but delighting the folks who had the pleasure to sip it casually was no rumor, it was straight-up truth. Camri supplied from the buds of those in her neighborhood and had made many acquaintances during her years of expertise. However, one in particular, Lorelei, would always grow the finest of flowers for the girl.
This particular Wednesday, Camri checked the cabinets and exhaled with her cheeks puffed. “I’m out of ingredients!” She scratched her head. Jars emptied of dried mixes hung on the shelves except for chamomile and one too few jasmine petals. Camri’s cat, Milo, rubbed against her and peered upwards. Finally, as the kettle across from her simmered, she flicked off the cast-iron stove and placed it on the countertop. She walked across the room and slipped on her Mary Janes. The door creaked open, and through sprang a light that pierced through her retinas.
“You stay here.” She muttered to Milo quickly before she was greeted by a spritely butterfly pea flower. Down the street to Lorelei’s house buzzed with grating noises of Maeve, the foxglove, heckling her neighbors, pets chittering with delight, and, of course, the enchanting smell of tens of flower gardens. Camri tugged at her braids and held her head high through it all.
An eloquent voice with a little French accent came through.
“Camri!” It was Lorelai frantically waving to catch the lady’s eye.
“Oh, Lorelai! It’s so nice to see you!” Camri beamed.
“What brings you on this fine day?” The lavender fairy’s boots pattered as she caught up, meeting Camri’s gaze.
“I ran out of dried lavender.” She shrugged, shoulders rising and dropping.
“You lucked out! I planted some just a few weeks ago.” Lorelai winked and unlatched the rusty hook of her white picket fence. Leading Camri to the backyard, where hummingbirds and bumblebees circled.
The lavender there was copious and purple, in rows laid out for many feet ahead. Its perfumy scent clouded Camri’s nostrils. She felt almost sleepy taking it all in. The lavender was sure to make a balanced and aromatic tea to soothe.
“Take as much as you like,” Lorelai pointed.
“Truly? Thank you so much!” Camri got to her knees and unsheathed her sharp floral shears, soft green grass tickling her kneecaps as she hit the ground. Snip, snip. The lavender fell onto the dirt below, and she gathered it in a fist.
”Let me help you.” Lorelai took her pair of gardening gloves and slipped them on.
The two girls chatted and cut lavender until they’d gathered enough for at least a few weeks. Lorelai smiled, helping Camri to her feet, and hugging her. “I’ve been waiting for you to need a restock. Thank you for giving me a reason to grow these!”
”Anything to support you!” Camri exhaled, preparing for the walk home.
The next week, when the lavender had dried and Camri forgot about it for a bit, she dragged herself out of bed after rubbing her eyes. Milo followed her to the stove. The kettle simmered, and again, Camri opened the cabinets to find her supply of flowers slowly replenishing with each visit around town to the gardens. Her eyes landed on the jars next to each other, reading in messy cursive, “Lavender” and “Chamomile.” Camri stood on her tiptoes to reach the glass jar. Pouring it into the sieve in the kettle, she waited a minute, reading the newspaper published by Fern, who was the seething journalist always searching for stories around town. The kettle finally sang, humming a heightened tune that pierced ears. Camri took it off and poured it into her favorite teacup, the one with the delicate china and filigree. A knock manifested upon the door.
”It’s Lorelai!” Camri rushed to the door and flung it open, a little embarrassed she was still in her pajamas.
”Hello!” Lorelai ran her fingers through the back of her hair. She wore a frumpy sweater and a long skirt that hung to her ankles. “I figured you would be brewing the tea with my lavender anytime soon, so I stopped by.”
”What a coincidence! It just finished steeping. Come in!” Camri closed the door behind her, watching Lorelai grab a cup and pour some of the tea. She loved it, proclaiming it was practically the perfect brew.
