In the past I have purchased roses in bud and waited for them to open, but they never did. I finally know why. I pass this flower stall attached to a deli on my way to the subway. I often see the flower seller busy with his bouquets but just recently the pieces fell into place. When rose is a bit past the bloom, and the outer petals are turning, he removes them. He is left with the inner part of the flower, that has not yet opened and that just happens to resemble a ‘bud’. Well it isn’t. I feel had.