Here's another one from a few years back....I wonder what I was thinking back then and who about???? Enjoy...Listening to Parquet Courts while I post this....
Jeremy and Beatrix
By Julie Gengo
As she usually does on Saturday morning, Beatrix was pulling
up the weeds with vigor. She liked to make a contest of it all, challenging
herself to uproot an entire section with one try. This made her happy and at
times, prompted her to shout “YES” out loud.
This time, her yes was
particularly loud, so loud that it caught the attention of an unexpected
visitor.
“I heard that,” Jeremy said as he turned around to say
hello.
“Hello. It's Beatrix isn't it?” he shouted back as he leaned
his bike against the fence that encapsulated her garden from the rest of the
world.
“Hi,” she said as she peered up from the brim of her hat.
“What can I do for you?”
“I was just on my way to town to pick up some tickets for
this band that I hear is really fantastic when I heard you shout. I thought you
might need some assistance.”
He didn't wait for her to reply. “I'm Jeremy and it's lovely
to meet you,” he said as he peered over the fence, closer to where she was
working. Jeremy had wanted to do that for quite some time, but his nerve always
got the best of him.
In a normal day, he just looked up and smiled as he passed
by, but today was anything but normal. He had woken up with a good feeling
about everything. There was a buzz in the air that warmed his fingers, turned
off his doubt, and kept him from riding on.
“Can I come in?” he said, without hesitation.
“Yes, by all means, she said, "but no, I'm fine.”
Beatrix stood up, wiped her hands on her dress and reached
out to shake his.
“Town? Aren't you taking the long route?” she said.
Beatrix was curious. She had seen him before, passing by on
this bike. He always seemed to be smiling. She liked the idea of smiling back
but usually just kept on gardening as if she didn't notice.
“Well, it's more scenic this way and besides I was
interested in what you were growing there next to that bunch with the small
white flowers,” he said.
“Turnips,” she replied.
Beatrix had a thing for turnips. Their round onion like body
had a splendor that made her happy and they also worked well in her soups.
“Perhaps you would like to try some sometime? Turnips make
my soups a bit sassy,” she said as she smiled.
“Okay then.” Jeremy lifted his eyebrows in anticipation. He liked
the idea of soup with turnips, but her words took him by surprise. After all,
she had always been a mystery. He imagined her to be rather reserved and he
thought she was pretty, yet completely unknown.
“Can I call you B?” He said.
“You can, if you like,” she said. “I mean not to be rude,
but Beatrix must remind you of...” She interrupted. “The Potter stories? Well it’s
not like I have friends that are mice running around and a pet rabbit named
Peter. The cat takes care of the mice and...well.” Beatrix laughed. Jeremy
amused her.
Jeremy on the other hand felt very stupid for ever bringing
up the subject. His words were losing their way and his face turned a blush
rose that matched the flowers behind her.
He did muster up enough of whatever it is he needed to ask
Beatrix to join him to see the band that was playing the following week. She
thought about it for a moment and told him she would think about it and let him
know soon. “I have to check with Mrs. Puddle Duck to see if she can keep an eye
on the soup,” she giggled.
“Super," Jeremy said as he hid his face in his hands. "I'll
pop 'round in a few days.” He then made his way down the road and in a few
moments he was out of sight. The idea of turnip soup and Beatrix kept him smiling
the entire way into town.
