FALL FLOWERS

The fall sun was beating down on Kristen's back as she and her husband Will gathered this season's bountiful harvest. Juicy eggplants, carrots, yams, spinach, and bell peppers were being placed in the rural farm's shipping box. Kristen was diligently working at picking every perfectly ripe pepper when her husband said he'd be right back, and walked towards the back of the field. Thinking he was going to put their cows, Moomoo and Milky away, Kristen didn't bother to ask where Will was going. He returned several minutes later with his hands behind his back.

"Honey, whatcha got there?" Kristen asked Will, taking a brief break from harvesting.

Will gave his breathtakingly beautiful smile, the smile that made Kristen fall for him over and over again, and revealed what he had been hiding. In her hands he placed a bouquet of what he thought were flowers. "My precious maiden had been working so hard lately; she needed something to make her day as bright as her eyes."

Kristen's cheeks became red at his compliment. "Oh, um. Thank you Will, but these… these are weeds." Kristen said sheepishly. A blush immediately formed on Will's face.

"Oh, my apologies Sweetheart! I'm dreadfully sorry for giving you the wrong present! This is terribly embarrassing…"

Will ran back to the house and for the rest of the day until evening, Will was sulking, thinking he had upset his maiden. He later came into the kitchen to find the surprise of the weeds in a glass vase on the kitchen windowsill. He walked up to Kristen and asked her about it.

"It's the thought that counts, and besides, these are beautiful no matter what they are. I love them even if they aren't flowers." She then gave him a quick peck on the lips, and went to start preparing supper, all the while admiring her precious weeds. Will's gift of love did indeed, brighten Kristen's day, accomplishing his mission.