The Orchid
Autumn Medley | Julia Manyin | Drawing
The Orchid by Ruby Barone
Standing in the light flooding in from the window, the young woman carefully tipped the glass in her hands. Inside, the water cascaded down into the pot and onto the orchid’s strong, dark green roots. They held on tight to one another creating a strong base for the beautiful plant. It had twelve blooming flowers, each face was perfect with petals painted in shades of light pink and purple. The orchid had an otherworldly beauty to it that was simply breathtaking, while the woman standing next to it had much to compare. Molly had rich, slightly frizzy dark hair which hung in long locks covering much or her face. She wore a baggy sweater which had its stitching undone in numerous places and a pair of faded jeans that were obviously too big for her. A truly drab sight next to the striking flower.
Molly returned to the sink, emptied her glass, and began washing the dishes from breakfast. Her thoughts strayed to memories of her late mother. Their trips downtown to get ice cream, the art class they once took together, staying up late to watch movies, and the day she gave Molly the orchid. About five years ago Molly’s mother bounded into that same room presenting the new plant. Laughing, Molly carefully placed the orchid into the light on the windowsill. They stared in awe at it together for it really was a remarkable sight.
After a few moments Molly exclaimed, “You’re it!”
“Fine then, but I’m going to catch you!” challenged her mother. They began chasing each other around the apartment. After a little while Molly’s mother stopped. Out of breath, she leaned over the side of the couch and gasped, “OK. Fine, I lose.”
“Oh, come on, you won’t let me win that easily,” laughed Molly.
Feeling faint her mother replied, “I think I just need to lie down,” and stumbled towards her room.
“Mom? Are you,” Molly started, but was cut off as her mother collapsed on the floor. From there it was a blur: tears streaming down her face, the sound of sirens, hospital visits, talking to doctors, more bad news, everyone wearing black, and then loneliness. Bringing herself back to the present Molly found herself crying, sad silent tears. She glanced back at her orchid for reassurance, but to her astonishment one of the flowers was gone. Immediately, she rushed over to find that one of the orchid’s faces lay on the windowsill.
How did I let this happen? Molly thought frantically. The orchid has never lost a flower before. Salty tears were now cascading down her face and into her matted hair. Molly collapsed onto the couch as feelings of sadness washed over her. She felt awful, for it seemed she had just lost another part of her mother.
After Molly calmed down, she decided to head to the local garden store to ask for insight. It was a cloudy and gloomy day, only adding to her mood. Upon arriving at the store, the smell of soil and pollen immediately filled her nose. It was a magnificent place with greenery everywhere. The narrow aisles were lined with millions of different types of plants, hanging flowers hung from the ceiling, pots of every color, and seeds of every kind. After walking through the labyrinth of leaves, Molly finally found her way to the front.
“Hello, what can I help you with today?” asked the kind saleswoman.
“Um, hi,” started Molly nervously. “I have a question regarding the health of one of my plants,” she continued, indicating to the orchid in her arms.
“Of course,” replied the saleswomen. “Let me just call someone over from the nursery...Bessie!” the women called across the store.
Embarrassed, Molly thought to herself, She didn't have to yell. People’s eyes were burning holes in her back and her face burned. Everyone is looking at me now. A few moments later a stout rosy-cheeked old woman came waddling her way.
“Well, hello there young lady. What is it you need today?” Bessie asked, beaming up at Molly.
“Um, well, I just have a quick question about my orchid,” she stammered in reply.
“Of course honey,” said Bessie grabbing the orchid out of her hands to examine it, “go ahead.”
Molly began, “It's just that one of the flowers fell off this morning. I didn’t know if something was wrong, so I thought I...”
“It looks perfectly fine to me dear,” interrupted Bessie.
“But one of the flowers,” stammered Molly.
Bessie persisted, “No, it’s fine. Trust me; I’m an expert.”
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yes, I am,” said Bessie practically shoving Molly towards the door. Disappointed that the Garden Store had no helpful insight, Molly had no choice but to head home. Just as she was nearing the grimy glass door, there was a huge clap of thunder overhead; everything the clouds had been holding in since this morning came rushing down. Determined to protect her orchid, Molly carefully tucked it into the folds of her jacket and headed out into the storm. Only a few steps later, she was soaked to the bone. Shivering as the fat raindrops came down on her like rocks, Molly miserably headed to the bus stop. She kept her eyes trained on her sopping sneakers to avoid any unwanted eye-connect. It was when she finally looked up when Molly realized that the bus was already pulling away.
Her heart pounding, she thought, I have to make this bus, and broke into a run. Just as she was nearing the curb, Molly tripped on the slick sidewalk. Suddenly the cement was growing closer and closer to her face. Falling towards the earth the first thing that came to mind was protecting the orchid, but it was too late. She lay in a muddy heap on the ground. Tears rolling down her face, she collected the shattered pot and the remains of the orchid. After an eternity of waiting in the pouring rain clutching her destroyed plant, she returned home. Once back in her kitchen Molly tenderly lay the wrecked gift from her mother on the table, and resigned to the couch. Before she knew it, tears were welling up in her eyes and she sat there crying late into the stormy night. Falling into an uneasy sleep only brought horrible dreams of the day's events. Molly tossed and turned the hours away, as images of the destroyed orchid and her mother’s face taunted her mind. The next morning she was awoken by the light flooding in through the same window where her orchid used to sit. Hit by a pang of sorrow, she got up and walked over to the ledge. To her surprise, sitting there was a small package. Carefully opening the package, Molly found tons of miniscule white seeds and a small piece of paper inside.
She pulled out the crinkled yellowing page and read the words aloud to herself, “Just in case. I will always be there for you, Molly, my love.”