Every day after baseball practice he had to see them. Their beautiful blossomed faces, their carefree dance in the gentle wind. It was even better on weekends when he had the opportunity to spend all day with them. Not only his flowers but all of his plants were his prized possessions. As soon as he made his way up the stairs and into his rooftop garden, he was at home.
Yamamoto first carefully watered each green leaf with his plastic giraffe-decorated watering can. Once each plant glistened underneath the afternoon sun, he tucked the watering can away into its respective cubby hole. He sat cross-legged on the tiles in the center of his garden, surrounded by potted plants and the squares of soil in the ground. He breathed in the warm sun.
He often liked to show his nurtured plants such love. He wished they could show him love back. But they always welcomed him and seemed to greet him with smiles, and that was enough for him. Yamamoto laid back on the cool brown tiles and folded his hands behind his head. He breathed in again. He shuddered.
The sweet caress of every leaf. The happy smile each flower seemed to give him. He just could not get enough of the elated feeling they gave him. They were accepting, gracious. Almost as friendly and cheerful as he was—oh how he wished they were human too. He threw am arm over his eyes and set his jaw. With some hesitation, he unbuttoned his shirt.
If one could love him back, its touch would be light. Yamamoto reached for a vine and dragged a leaf across his exposed chest. Its smell would be fresh and natural. He brought it to his nose and inhaled. It would feel warm. He twirled a stem in between his thumb and forefinger, allowing the leaf to brush against his cheek. He poked out his tongue and took an experimental lick. It didn't taste as lovely as it smelled.
But it didn't matter that they weren't people; Yamamoto could still feel the love. He felt it every day. His plants could not voice their returned gratitude, so he would just continue to love them that much more. He unzipped his pants. Yes, that much more.