Welcome! Thanks for coming. This week the word prompt is "push". I have another installment from "Too Late for Goodbye".
I hope you enjoy it. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales.
The living room in the old Victorian showed remnants of splendor of days gone by, the same as it's owner, Maxine Wentworth. The mahogany paneling made the massive room shrink to a cozier, less formidable size. Max stood by the huge window.
“Gardens are better
than children.”
I hope you enjoy it. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales.
*******************
The living room in the old Victorian showed remnants of splendor of days gone by, the same as it's owner, Maxine Wentworth. The mahogany paneling made the massive room shrink to a cozier, less formidable size. Max stood by the huge window.
“How so?” Jackie joined
her employer.
“You can put a lot of
effort in at the beginning and then walk away.”
“Most gardens need
tending, like people do.”
“Look there. See? My crocuses are coming up. Soon the tulips and iris’s will follow. I planted them a
long time ago and they keep blooming, no matter how much I neglect them.”
“Perennials do that.”
“The garden is a mess.
Will you help me with that, too?”
“Of course.”
“Good. I’ve got a green
thumb. Much better at plants than kids.”
“How many do you have?”
“Plants?” The older
woman turned and cocked an eyebrow.
Jackie laughed. “No,
kids.”
“Three. Two boys and a
girl. They live far away. Two are abroad. One on the West coast.”
“I see.” Jackie nodded.
“I’m not complaining. We
were never close. I tried, but mothering wasn’t my strong suit.”
“Really?” Jackie
shifted her weight, suspecting the discussion was about to get too personal.
She searched her brain for appropriate words.
“I was too pushy.
Insisted they do well in school. Made them dress properly. Have good manners. I’m
afraid I wasn’t much fun.”
“Don’t be too hard on
yourself.”
“Of course all three are highly successful now. They don’t need
anything from me. Money, time or especially this house.”
“None of your kids
wants this grand old place?”
Max shook her head. “They
wouldn’t be caught dead living here. They hate the house and Pine Grove, too.”
“That’s a shame.”
Max wandered over to
the sofa and eased herself down. “I suppose. Can’t blame them. They are big,
important people now. And this town is simply the dust on their heels.”
Jackie joined Max,
sitting at the opposite end.
“The place is old and broken
down. But now that you’re here, that’s going to change.”
“It is?” Her eyebrows
shot up.
“Oh, yes, my dear. You
and I have our work cut out for us.”RETURN TO TUESDAY TALES
MY WEBSITE
Poor Max. She's being very hard on herself. But I agree, sometimes plants are easier than people. Looking forward to more.
ReplyDeletePoor Max. She's being very hard on herself. But I agree, sometimes plants are easier than people. Looking forward to more.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Susanne. She is being very hard on herself. Can't wait to see what happens next.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Maxis being too hard on herself. I can't wait to see what they are going to do with the place.
ReplyDeleteI loved this line: And this town is simply the dust on their heels.
ReplyDeleteYou touched me this week. This made me incredibly sad. Poor lady who never connected with her kids. Being someone who adores her kids, I find this so gut wrenching.
ReplyDeleteThe gardener in me enjoys the plant details.:)
ReplyDeleteAww...my heart broke for Max. I hope she finds happiness very soon. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteI loved the scene and how you shared the relationship with her children and worked in the gardening parts.
ReplyDeleteI loved the scene and how you shared the relationship with her children and worked in the gardening parts.
ReplyDelete