Flowers: Part I
By Kitara Lira
Did I ever mention that I really hate flowers?
Yes, believe it or not, I truly and utterly hate all flowers.
Hate is a strong word, yes, I know that.
Heh, when did you become my mother? No hate is not an acceptable term I know that…
A reason? You want a reason?
I suppose I can do that, a reason…
-
"Natsuki! Duran! Dinner time!" A middle aged woman called from the front porch. The house itself was not old, nor was it new. It was middle aged – just like her. With a few locks of midnight blue fading in colour, adorning that characteristic gray of 'wisdom' – just like the house.
Over the hill, amidst the tall stalks of golden a little girl and fluff of fur came bounding. With infinite energy, and smiles all the more so, the two appeared so calm… so happy. With locks similar to that of the woman, the little girl was a splitting image, so beautiful, so happy. Both panting ever so, they came to an abrupt halt – it was important not to step on the porch with muddy boots or paws. One learned this lesson quickly. "Mama! Guess what!" Exclaimed the little one, jumping up and down gleefully, hands freely flailing about the air above her head.
A soft chuckle resonated from within the older woman. Two steps forth and she bent down, placing a tender hand upon the child's head, the dog moving forth as well to lick the other hand that remained by her side, "What Natsuki? Please, tell me you did not bring another frog home. You remember how well the last one lasted? Frogs just aren't meant to live in enclosed jars."
Tears prickled those small orbs of emerald at the thought of her beloved pet's demise, "But… but… Mr. Frog was happy! I don't know what happened!" Sobs broke out, and the child collapsed into the warm embrace of her mother, "He just stopped moving Mama! I swear, it wasn't my fault! I fed him some of my cookies! And Duran shared his biscuits too! Maybe we didn't tighten the lid enough and he got poisoned by something in the air!"
"Now now Natsuki, I know it wasn't your fault." Soothed the woman, hoisting the little girl up into a more welcoming embrace, "Mama does not blame you darling, it was simply Mr. Frog's time to go."
"R-really?" The tears were blinked away and a tiny face held the look of hope mixed with a prior sadness. If Mama didn't blame her – or Duran – then everything must have really been okay. "You don't blame Duran either do you Mama?" Natsuki squeaked, eyeing her faithful companion. If Duran was guilty, then she would be too! Even if Mama already said it wasn't her fault. She couldn't leave Duran out on his own like that, they were pals! They stuck together on everything… even the biscuits!
"Heh heh, of course not my dear. Mama does not blame you or Duran. Now tell me, what is it that you're so excited about?" The woman questioned more curious then before – she hated frogs. They were gross, slimy, and well just gross! But she couldn't tell her daughter that or about any of the other thousands of gifts (usually some type of bug, or gross thing found in the dirt) that her daughter and puppy found and brought home for her. As gross as they were, they were all brought for her. Just for her, with the purest, most adorable intentions, of her daughter.
"Ah!" The little girl squirmed until she was released and allowed to drop to the soft dirt, "Mama! Duran and I found you a pretty present!" Grabbing hold of those big fingers with her tiny stubbly ones, Natsuki tried to drag her mother, "Come! Duran and I will show you Mama!"
It was rather amusing to watch her child try so hard full well knowing that the weight-pull factor was not on her side. With orbs identical to her daughter's, the woman leaned down, causing Natsuki to momentarily stop her pull, "Ara, Natsuki, why don't we go after we eat? Supper will get cold and I made your favourite, mayo flavoured ramen."
The little one caved – as did Duran apparently as both began to water at the mouth, "M-m-ayo… and… and ramen?" Gulped the child, saliva running down the back of her throat rather then out at the seams of her lip (Duran apparently forgot this as his drool was mixing with the dirt and making a mud like consistency).
"Yes, that's right Natsuki, mayo and ramen. Shall we…" There was no chance to finish as both Natsuki and Duran bolted for the house, "Natsuki! Your shoes!" At the mention of shoes, a pair came flying across the porch, landing somewhere amidst the grass. The meager sight caused a round of soft laughter from the woman, "Ah, Natsuki…" Slipping off the porch in order to retrieve the abandoned footwear, it was hard not to envy her daughter's enthusiasms. Now if only she could get Natsuki to apply that to her school work and piano lessons…
From deep within the house a little voice hollered, "Hurry Mama! It's getting cold!"
"I'm coming Natsuki!" Responded the woman before disappearing within the welcome of their home – two very eager stomachs awaiting her in a line before the stove where she had left the meal.
-
What does that have to do with flowers?
I'm getting there you just have to be a little more patient.
You know, you remind me of myself… when I was younger.
Mhm, I was always so impatient. Things had to be done just at that moment or else someone would lose their head.
No! Not literally, figuratively speaking. Heh, if that was the case I would have been locked up long ago, but as you can see, here I am, in the flesh.
But that aside, there really is a point to this, honest. The flowers are coming up.
-
"Natsuki, if you eat so fast your tummy will get very upset."
"But Mama it's so good!" Whined the little one, offering her mother a pleading look that said: I have to eat all I can while it lasts! How often do you make mayo and ramen!? Duran seemed to be thinking upon the same lines as he was slurping away at his own dish just as madly.
"Mou… Well don't say I didn't warn you, if you or Duran has a tummy ache tonight you are not crawling in to sleep with me." From the table she rose, moving towards the sink where she placed her long ago empty dish. The pot was almost empty of its content, one more bowl each and her daughter and puppy would be full and rolling out of their seats… almost literally. One would think she starved those two if they ever came over on mayo and ramen night (which was far from the truth those two ate more then anyone!).
"Ughhh…" Came a groan from just behind – apparently it seemed Natsuki and Duran might not fill their weekly quotas of mayo and ramen. Strange. "Mama?"
Draw from her thoughts, Natsuki's mother looked downward to the girl tugging at the hem of her cooking apron, "Yes Natsuki?"
"Will Mama come with Duran and I now?" Asked the girl innocently, offering her best award winning smile. Her mother always seemed to listen better if she made this funny lopsided facial absurdity.
So that was why Natsuki had not finished the final dish. It must have been something extremely important, or else Natsuki would not have left the remaining noodles (and mayo) in the pot. Offering a strange lopsided smile of her own, the woman nodded, "Hai, where would Natsuki and Duran like to take me?"
One would be amazed at how the smile suddenly just changed: from a pleading attempt to a full ten thousand watt smile – surely enough to light up the room. (Author Note: And this, kids, is why we brush with Colgate. A brighter, whiter smile!) Of course, this was nothing new; in fact the woman was used to this. It happened almost everyday. And everyday, she looked forward to it all the same.
Dressing in layers – the cool chill of the evening setting in – the small party of three made their way through the thick veil of gold. The light had not yet faded, but it was at just the moment when it turns the sky all those many shades of pink. When it is saying good night to those around, when the day gives way to night and accepts a peaceful slumber.
"Close your eyes Mama." Natsuki ordered stopping and turning about on the trail.
"What if I trip Natsuki?" Inquired the woman curiously; she already knew the answer though as they had played this game before many times.
"Mama! Duran and I will not let you fall. Now close your eyes!" The small voice ordered this time more demanding then the first.
"Hai hai…" Mumbled the latter, allowing her eyelids to flicker shut. Blind, with only the tug of her daughter's small hand and the nudge of Duran's muzzle, it was hard to put complete faith that she would not fall… but somehow she had managed. Why? Because her daughter had always gone so fair out of her way in these little surprises, everything arranged in a delicate frame work.
After moments – that feels like an eternity without sight – the group came to a stop. Feet and paws alike scuffled about as if to set up a few finishing touches. Then came the reassuring tug that meant only one thing: Open your eyes. So she did, and words fell short. Before her… was a beauty, like no other! Amidst the small clearing the ground had been ploughed. When? Or even how escaped her at the moment. What was truly the source of her awe was not the ploughed dirt, but more what rested or rather had grown in the tilled earth. Flowers; row upon row of flowers. Purple ones, pink ones, red ones, white ones, orange and yellow too! But most of all, blue flowers sung supremacy over all others. Not only in simple numbers, but also in sheer beauty.
A gentle noise reminded her that she was not alone – that two little figures awaited her response and were both not known for their patience. "Natsuki… this… this is beautiful! Did you…"
The little head bobbed up and down, "Duran and I have been working on it." It explained all the mud on them at least. To have made a garden that was this developed took days… no weeks of planning and care. "Do you like it Mama? We made it for you…"
Kneeling down, the woman drew both Natsuki and Duran into a hug, "I love it Natsuki; Duran. Thank you." Head drawn back for an instant, all orbs staring about the circle, the woman continued, "I shall never forget this gift Natsuki. Thank you."
What time remained of sunlight was spent adoring the new found gift. Then when the sun had finally set, the three returned home, each with a seemingly more chipper bounce to their step. Though it was time for bed, Natsuki and Duran did not argue (as they did most nights). Instead they scampered up the stairs, brushed their teeth… okay so just Natsuki brushed her teeth, but Duran cheered/watched from the sidelines.
Tucked in, with their kiss goodnight, it was only a matter of time before the inevitable occurred. Feet and paws scampered across the hardwood floor, halting just outside the closed door, "Mama…" Whispered the voice as the door was creaked open.
"Yes Natsuki?" Over her spectacles she peered, a small grin upon her face.
"Duran and I can't sleep… our tummies hurt…" As if ashamed of this fact, emerald orbs could only focus on the intricate floor, "C-c-can we sleep with you? Please?"
As she spoke, the woman patted the empty space in bed beside her, "Of course Natsuki and Duran can sleep here too, but only for tonight!"
Those emerald orbs shot up, beaming with happiness, "Thank you Mama!" Was the only response as the next was two blurs leaping upon the soft mattress, each taking their accustomed spot; you see it wasn't just for one night, nor would it ever be. Every night, sometimes with a sore stomach, others with a scary monster, Natsuki and Duran never slept within the comforts of their own bed. For some reason Mama's bed was the best.
-
And that's why I hate flowers.
Heh, doesn't tell you anything? Are you sure about that?
Hehehe alright alright, so maybe it doesn't, but it's getting late, how about we call it a night?
Alright, I promise to finish it another time. Just promise me that you will go to sleep now, deal?
Good, now go to sleep, or we're both going to be in trouble.
-
Note: No, I do not get paid for promoting Colgate! In fact, I don't know what brand of toothpaste I brush with!! –Scurries off the check- Arm and Hammer! I brush with that brand! But so long as I have a nifty looking toothbrush I really don't care what brand I brush with.
Author Feed: Surprise! You know that thing you've been voting for in my profile? Finally finished it!
Yeah, I know, you want me to finish Letters and Our Story too; but I just... this one was almost done... and I still haven't studied for my final tomorrow and... and... I love you?
All loves aside; this is the first of three parts hope you enjoy it and you know? I think I need to stop dropping my phone on the pavement!
