book the language of flowers by vanessa diffenbaugh

She soon touches the lives of many people through her personalized bouquets. Realizing that she can't do that forever, she manages to finagle herself a job in a flower shop. When the story starts, Victoria is 18 and living in a park, cultivating flowers that comfort and shield her from the dangers of the world. And so starts a year-long rocky relationship between foster mother and foster daughter that puts to the test every ounce of maternal patience and trust each has. Though Elizabeth was true to her word, unlike so many of her other caregivers, Victoria was not about to let her get away with her discipline. The lock turned, and Elizabeth stood before me.' I bounded up the steps, pounding the heavy metal spoon against the wooden door relentlessly. 'Wiping my bloody hands on my pants, I grabbed the spoon and ran toward the house, tripping and falling and picking myself up without ever letting go of my prize. It's a surprising act of tough love that has mixed results.Īs darkness descends, Victoria frantically searches for the spoon, badly cutting her hands with thorns before finally meeting with success. The foster mother then locks Victoria outside.

When they return to the house, Elizabeth announces that Victoria cannot come back in until she retrieves the utensil. Once done, she tosses the silver spoon into the bushes.

So begins Victoria's education in the language of flowers.Īfter dinner, Victoria trails behind Elizabeth, only half-listening to the explanations about the different plants because she is focused on eating peanut butter from a spoon, a rare indulgence. On Victoria's first day with her, Elizabeth puts a small bouquet of stalwart, a flower whose message is 'welcome,' on top of the little girl's bowl of pasta.

Book the language of flowers by vanessa diffenbaugh