Flower Power

　　《365个英语小故事》:实用简洁的小故事，都是日常生活小故事，在学习英语的同时了解美国文化，循序渐进，轻松掌握。

　　Ted Nugent was in love. Unfortunately, he wasnt in love with his wife. He was in love with his girlfriend. He had met Lauren at a car show. She was one of the pretty models who gave sales pitches extolling the wonders of the new cars. To impress her, Ted promised that he would buy a new Mercedes if she would go out with him. She said yes, and one thing led to another.

　　Teds wife, Stephanie, wondered why Ted bought the new car, since he had just bought a new Cadillac two years ago. Because Stephanie liked the Cadillac so much, Ted said, it was now hers. He had bought the Mercedes for himself. Ted started staying late at the office. He told Stephanie that he had to work extra hours to help pay for the Mercedes. She didnt mindshe was enjoying her Cadillac.

　　When Laurens birthday rolled around, Ted called up 1-800-Blossom and sent her three dozen roses. To ensure that the transaction would be private, he put it on his business credit card. Even though Ted had to give his home phone and address, the Blossom representative promised that no paperwork would go to Teds home.

　　A week later, Stephanie greeted the mailman at the mailbox. He handed her the mail, including an envelope marked Thank You, 1-800-Blossom. Stephanie was curious. It wasnt her birthday, or Valentines Day, or their anniversary. Why on earth had Ted ordered flowers? Opening the envelope, she hoped she wasnt going to ruin a surprise from her husband. The enclosed letter thanked Ted for his order of three dozen roses. The letter even included the note that went with the flowers: My darling Lauren: These roses arent half as pretty as you are. The letter offered a 10-percent discount on Teds next order.

　　When Ted got home late that night, he found an angry note on the door explaining why all the locks had been changed. Four weeks later, Ted sued 1-800-Blossom for ruining his marriage.