Just Peach'n

When he got the tree it was just a whimsical whisp Of a twig Maybe a few leafs on a stem protruding From a bag of dirt. He had a notion that if he was able to cultivate Is this tree correctly And coax it to produce.

As to say if the tree actually produces fruit under his care.

Then possibly so should he be able to produce fruit or offspring of his own.

Men and their idealology.

When he returned with the tree from the arborist it came with full intentions that it was a Georgia peach tree Complete with how to nurture manuel and all.

He went on to plant it In the front yard where it had plenty of sunlight.

With each swing of his pickaxe i watched the earth submit before him.

"Such a child at heart, still playing in the sand and acting like he is performing surgery for the first time." i joked to myself as i continued to watch him

proceed with comical care and gentleness as he removed the shoe and placed the peach tree in its eternal home.

As he packed down the top soil and fertilizers I could hear his humming the tune of Pink Floyd's-'Wish you were here'.

Bottle of cold water in hand and a mind full of naught i made my way to Mr. Botanical and the tree.

" James dear, Are you done planting that giant weed in my driveway yet?" I blurted out while waving the bottle of water

"I don't understand why someone would spend such money on something that you could buy by the bagfull for a few dollars. You and your logical flimflams"

James just laughed and took the bottle of water.

"This here weed is the very foundation of your store bought delicacies, in particular this weed here will forever stands as a symbol of our lasting love." He lovingly explained to me as he started to pour the water onto the ground around the tree. "This is a very important weed indeed"

As he finished the last of the water in the bottle. And took my hand into his . I could sence the tree move closer as if it to wanted to join hands with us.

Yes i thought this tree shall symbolize our love.

About a month had passed and we had a slew of hard storms and a small hurricane which would have destroyrd the poor sprout.

But against all of natures forces, James would foolishly suit up and sit with the tree protecting it from toppling

Or wind damage. How i used to proclaim he was " A loony toon protecting his toon town" and "He might as well put my wedding ring on one of the trees limbs"

As a joke he once put my wedding gown on the tree in a mock ceremonial to the entire families amusement.

It seemed like everything was perfect in our little world.

Just James, our Peach Tree and I.

A full year after planting the peach tree James got relocated in his career. And had a now two hour one way trip in his commute.

He was a very motivational man who people hired for life coaching and advisory to their emotional and financial well being. Always with the seemingly right answers to every situation. Busy as he became he would still take the time to read and talk to the tree first and formost upon returning from work.

And in one afternoon, with the sky that sick yellow green

That preludes devistational weather.

My James did not return from work. No Honda pulling into the drive.

No special filtered minneral water from Fiji to greet our peach tree.

No bright smile followed with a loving kiss.

At first i thought traffic must be bad.

As i finished setting up the table for dinner i checked the weather station.

All the news was focused on the F2 tornado that was working its way acrossed the I-10 corridor.

The same highway James uses for his commute to and from work.

Worry turned to fear, and fear to panic. I got lost in trying to find some sort of answer to his dissapearace.

Days passed. No one seen, heard from or had yet found James or his Honda.

Sick with fear, confusion and loss. I give in to my fathers requests i see a medical professional before i let my health go completely.

The first test by law was the answer by God.

I was pregnant. Three months pregnant.

Now i am lost and with child.

Now we are lost and without James.

Arriving home, in a fit of childish rage and anger i attack the place we made our home.

I took a hammer to the toilet for all its plumbing problems.

Smashed the shower glass for all its financial hardship caused.

How we cope with loss by self destruction is beyond my understanding, but it felt good.

On my way to the tree i scooped up the half empty bottle of vodka from the cupboard.

"It's more then just me and you now peachy" i proclaimed as i sat against It's still adolescent trunk. i took a deep pull from the bottle, and poured one for the tree

"life is just peachy" i mumbled between gulps

oddly enough I felt as if the tree attempted to comfort my troubles, wrapping its leafy limbs closer to my emotional upheavals.

"Stupid tree, don't you know not to hug drunks?"was my last waking memory

I must have passed out completely

For i was now standing in front of a blur that warbled in reality.

And the blur spoke .

"Unto you i shall become fruitful"

"Forthright i shall become of this world"

Light exploded into my eyes as i opened them to the bright afternoon sun.

Shaken from my dream and nausious from pregnancy i stood up slowly useing the tree in stabilizing my vertigo.

I looked at the tree in doubtful awe .

I could not precieve the sight that stood before me.

For as i talked prior in the night the tree was still adolecent.

My mind reeled in wonder as the peach tree was no longer the twiggy sprout of last night.

Full to the brim with dark green leaves.

Perfectly cultivated and trimmed.

Bursting with ripe plump fruit.

Morning dew glistened in the rising sun as slowly i comprehended what i was viewing.

The fruit looked odd for it was not that of the stone fruit reddish yellow coloration that naturally accumilates upon said peach trees.

No it was reddish brown and oddly shaped.

I reached out and grasped onto the unknown fruit plucking it from the limbs.

Perfectly plump and seductively scented i stared at the product of my husband's loving care.

It was teardropped shapped and smelled of fresh apple pie.

It was a pear.

My husdband planted a pear tree.

This entire time we thought we had peaches in our future.

In reality we had pears.

Symbolically, the answer was clear.

Each pear represented tears shed from the loss of my James.

Through out my pregnancy fresh plump pears fortified and nourished the child that i carried within me.

When our daughter proudly claims during show and tell that her dad lives inside a Peachy Pear tree. I can't help but shed a tear of joyful sadness.

Pear in hand.

She is her fathers daughter.