Kim led Kurt up the stairs from the subway underground to the street.

Kurt was tired from his subway ride, but the sights and sounds of Manhattan woke him up.

He sensed the rush of hundreds of cars and trucks. He looked up at the tall buildings. Some of the tallest skyscrapers seemed to stretch up to the clouds. He looked at the throngs of people on the streets.

Kim grabbed his hand and led him down the street.

“Let's go,” Kim said. “I told the florist I would be there by two.

Soon they reached the florist shop.

The shop owner was thin, old, and had gray hair. She did not smile.

She said, “My name is Hester. I own this shop.” She had a mean look on her face.

“Hi, I'm Kim. The ad in the paper says you are hiring a helper.”

“You got that right,” said Hester. “Have you ever had a job ringing up people and taking their cash?”

“No, but I think I would be good at it. I’m good at math!”

“Have you ever had a job at a florist shop?” Hester asked.
“No. But it sounds like fun.”
“Can you tell larkspur from aster?”
“No, but you could teach me.”

“Is it your lifelong dream to have a job as a florist?” Hester asked.

“Well, I don’t think so,” said Kim. “At this point, I don't know what I want to do for the rest of my life. I'm just trying to find a summer job. Then I will go back to college in the fall.”

Old Hester sighed.

“Well, that was the wrong thing to say,” she said. “I need someone who will stay. You may be bright. But I won't hire someone who will leave at the end of summer.”

“Okay. Thank you for your time!” said Kim with a cheerful voice.

Later, when they were back outside, Kurt said, “That florist was kind of mean.”

“At least I know that’s not the right job for me!” Kim said.