Old Friends and Tulips
“Are those tulips I see?!” Sonja, Martha and Elizabeth had taken their dessert out to the porch. The sun was low in the sky. A single beam graced early tulips in a flower bed by the house.
“Yes, dear, I planted those years ago - with Samuel’s permission of course. They come up every year as faithful as you please.” Martha had found Thomas’ wife to be a very pleasant person. Quiet but pleasant. She suspected that she felt a bit of a fifth wheel, out of place and with people she didn’t know. “Are you all right, dear? You’ve been quite quiet and from what Thomas has told James in his letters, you’re not a quiet sort at all.”
Sonja turned to her two new friends. “You’re right Martha. I have been a bit withdrawn, worries about family in Ukraine. Cousins I haven’t seen or heard from for a long time. With the nastiness in Europe, I haven’t been able to think of much else. But seeing your beautiful red tulips, brought me back to life. Thank you for planting and tending them. And who’s Samuel?”
Elizabeth spoke up with a chuckle. “He’s the crotchety old guy that tends the gardens and yard. One of my very dearest friends, and it seems, a good friend of your Thom’s.
Sonja nodded and smiled “Now I remember. Thom has talked about him. There were three of them. Your husband, Martha. My husband, Thom. And this other fellow, Samuel. I wonder what they’re getting up to out there. They’ve been gone a long time.”
~~~~~
“Are you boys getting hungry yet?” The sun was getting low. Still spreading a beam or two across the estate. James glanced at his watch. The three of them were back at Samuel’s cabin. They had roamed through the orchard, found all trees they had climbed and scarred with their penknives and located the big rock where they had hid a old tin box that held the cigarettes they managed to ‘borrow’ from neighbours or friends. “Thom, remember the old garage?” He held out an old photo of the three of them on their bikes in front of the garage. Hair all slicked back, jeans rolled up, wearing matching t-shirts from some car wash charity. “I had forgotten about that day, Sam. Is the old garage still standing?” Thom was the only person, besides his father, who could call him Sam and get away with it. James stifled a smile each time he heard it. He hadn’t called Samuel that shortened name for years. He looked over at the photo and shook his head. “Is that really us? The years have changed us all. We were a pretty tight trio of friends, weren’t we?”
They all fell silent. James finally spoke up. “Samuel, let’s take Thom over to where the garage used to be. You did save a few things didn’t you? Are they in the shed? Then we can get back to the house and get some supper. Elizabeth probably has kept things warm for us.”
“I’m so glad we made this trip, James.” Thom had often stopped and just stared around him, while James and Samuel were talking over the old times. “It’s so hard to believe I’ve stayed away for so long. Have I missed all this green? Sometimes when winter seems to take so long to be done, I do think of some of these times. Even the rain. That not as much, but it is softer and kinder than the rains in the mountains. Enough of my wanderings. You’re right, let’s get back and get some supper.”
~~~~~
“Here they come, Martha. I’ll get back into the kitchen and get their suppers out. You and Sonja stay out here and make sure they wipe their feet before coming in.” With a laugh, she took the side door into the house. “I like her, Martha. And you! You have both been so kind to me, despite my withdrawn behaviour.” She picked up the empty dessert saucers and tea cups. “Would you get the door for me, please? The men will find their way in on their own.”
“Remember that the most valuable antiques are dear old friends.”
~ H. Jackson Brown
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