No Ordinary Pear(Pair)

If I could only turn back time to bring you back to me if I could reverse what’s done just to see you again my friend. These were the words Joshua said while standing under the Bartlett Pear Tree. Joshua was thinking of his friend Michael who passed away suddenly two weeks ago. Joshua and Michael were closer than brothers. Michael had a rare kidney disease that took his life unexpectedly one Friday afternoon. Joshua wept bitterly for days. Joshua and Michael met under this pear tree for years. Under this tree they would have long talks for hours and it felt like only minutes went buy. Joshua was now 30 years old the same age as Michael. When they turned 21, they shared a drink under this tree an aged bottle of Bourbon Joshua found in his parents’ basement.

Joshua came to this tree daily grieving the loss of his soul’s companion. It was November 15, 2020. The air was crisp this afternoon as the smell of Fall filled the air. Joshua walked to the road and got in his car to drive to the grocery store. He went to the produce aisle and picked up some apples, oranges, and a few carrots for a meal his mother was making that night. He decided to pick up some pears as well. An old man stood in his away and politely apologized while moving over to make room for Joshua. The old man said to him “When I eat a pear it takes me back to a happy place when I was a kid.” He went on to say that his mother would give him a pear every day after school. Every time he eats a pear he’s taken back to those moments. Joshua told him about his friend that passed away two weeks ago and how they used to spend hours under the big Bartlett Pear Tree in town. The old man said to him, “I’m so sorry to hear about your friend if only you could turn back time and reverse what was done you would see your friend again.” Joshua’s mouth dropped as he remembered he said those same exact words earlier. The old man picked up a pear and gave it to Joshua and said take a bite of this it’s such a delicious pear. Joshua looked hesitant and the old man told him not to worry because his son owns the grocery store.

Joshua took the pear and sunk his teeth into the flesh of the fruit. The sweet juices filled his mouth giving his taste buds euphoria. Before he could thank the old man, he blinked and was back under the pear tree! Needless to say he was confused and frankly a little freaked out. He looked around and then he heard a voice say “Yo Josh!” Josh still had the pear in his hand from the grocery store he dropped it as he turned around and found himself in shock! Before his very eyes there stood Michael, his friend that passed away two weeks ago. Joshuas' eyes welled up as he embraced Michael crying on his shoulder. Michael grabbed him by the shoulder pushed him back a bit saying “You okay bro? you’re acting like you haven’t seen me in forever!” You just saw me yesterday! Confusion filled the face of Joshua. He wanted to tell Michael about how he died, and he was at his funeral weeping alongside his mother and father. Instead, Joshua asked him what day it was. Michael said it was November 1st, 2020. Joshua screamed out “what did you just say?!” Michael looked troubled as Joshua pulled out his phone which read November 1st, 2020.

Joshua then asked him how his kidneys were doing to which Michael said they’re fine why are you asking? Joshua told him how for the last 10 years he’s been in and out of the hospital. Michael looked at him and said “You ok bro? You’re scaring me, have you been partying without me knowing?” Josh told him of course not, you know I don’t do drugs I’m just messing with you. They both broke out in laughter and Michael said you got to come up with a better joke than that to get me back for the time I put habanero sauce in your shampoo. They both laughed.

Joshua didn’t know what to think. His mind was doing back flips but he dared not tell Michael what happened. They got in Joshua’s car and went to Michael’s house. Everything seemed fine except when they walked inside the house his parents were siting at the table but his parents were totally different people. They greeted Josh and asked him if he wanted to stay for dinner. It looked like his parents were swapped out for different people. This was crazy Josh agreed to have dinner as he freaked out a little more on the inside. They had delicious greasy hamburgers potato wedges and orange soda. These are things Michael couldn’t eat before. His parents had the same names Lois and Robert. Lois asked Joshua if he heard the good news to which Joshua said “what good news” with a look of anticipation on his face. Lois said that Michael got the role for a role in a major motion picture. Joshua had no clue what was going on.

He just played along, giving Michael a punch in the shoulder asking why he didn’t tell him! Michael told him he was saving it for the right time. A big-time movie director named Angel Bradley had an audition for a movie coming out next year. Joshua heard of the famous director he put out some blockbuster movies in the past few years. Michael you’re going to be rich this is awesome! Michael replied that since he’s new to acting he would receive fifty thousand dollars for the role and a ten percent commission if the movie did well along with a chance to appear in a sequel or other films made by Angel Bradley. “That’s Amazing” Josh said. Then he asked what the name of the movie was and Michael replied that it’s called “The Pear Tree.” It’s a love story with a twist that has some action scenes. Michael went on to say he plays a man that invented a time machine. Joshua dropped his fork and said, “Now that’s a great movie!” Michael said he starts filming locally in a green room in two months.

Weeks went by and it became harder for Joshua to keep his mouth shut, but he was afraid to tell Michael. He also didn’t want to relive the painful moment. Joshua’s parents had no idea what happened to Michael it was like it never occurred; Joshua is the only one who knew. Before they realized it, it was time for Michael to start filming and he invited Joshua to the movie set. Joshua hung out in the background looking intently as Michael pretended to operate a time machine in front of a green screen.

Suddenly Joshua felt ill and began to sweat. He grabbed a drink of water from a nearby cooler; but his sweating persisted. He took a big swig of water, gasped for air and fell hitting the ground like a bag of rocks. The medical team on set rushed over to him checking his pulse. They began performing CPR. Michael saw the commotion looked across the studio when he saw that it was Joshua he ran over at full speed panicking. Two medical staff members kept him away in order to give them space to work. They called an ambulance and Joshua was rushed to the hospital with Michael riding with him talking to him trying to wake him up. They got to the hospital but when they got there, they pronounced Joshua dead. It was January 15, 2021 at 11:15am.

Michael wept bitterly wrapping his arms around Josh begging him to wake up. Please Joshua Please!! Noo no no no nooo!!!! He cried with his head on Joshua’s chest for 10 minutes before the doctor gently lifted him up while consoling him. A puddle of tears lay on Joshua’s bare chest. Soon after, Joshua’s parents James and Ella arrived at the hospital. When the doctor told them the news they broke down crying his mom sliding down James’ legs to the floor crying uncontrollably.

The movie director gave Michael two weeks to grieve and told him they can shoot his scenes at a later time. Joshua was buried on January 22nd at the same church cemetery Michael was in when he died. A few days later Michael was at the Pear tree that they spent so much time at growing up. Michael then said, “If I could only turn back time to bring you back to me if I could reverse what’s done just see you again my friend.” The old man that was at the grocery store walked up to Michael out of nowhere while he was under the tree. He said “You must be Michael.” Michael said "how do you know me?” He said I knew your friend Joshua he was a good man and he loved you very much. Michael sobbed and said, “I’d give anything to have him back, anything!”

The old man was slender and tall about 6”1 with perfect white hair perfect teeth strong hands and his eyes were an amber color and they seemed to flicker when he spoke. He reached into a bag he had with him and handed Michael a pear and said please try this it’s the best pear you’ll ever eat. I know my pears I planted this tree here years ago when I was a young man I had great joy in watching it grow.

This Bartlett Pear Tree is very special. Michael took the pear sunk his teeth in it chewing as the elegant juices filled his mouth his eyes grew wide because of the intense flavor then suddenly the old man was gone. Michael heard the voice of a child saying, “Hey what’s up Michael you want to play?” To Michael’s surprise it was Joshua; but Joshua looked to be about 11 years old, this is the age that they met for the first-time years ago. Michael looked at his hands and they were the hands of an 11 year-old boy. They both were little boys again. In unison they both said “I need to tell you something.” They talked about the old man and the pear. Joshua told Michael about how he died as Michael looked bewildered.

They were given a chance to start fresh again. They hugged each other in amazement and astonishment and saw both of their bicycles they had as little boys were resting on the tree. Then the old man appeared again. He told them love has given them a new lease on life. He told them both that they would not have any health issues and they were to tell no one about what happened, and none would be the wiser. Joshua and Michael looked at each other and turned to look at the old man to ask him his name but he was gone. It was 1pm on a Saturday and they looked up at the beautiful sky and saw a glowing light then in a flash the light went away. The two boys got on their bikes and made their way home. They saw a sign at bank reading November 15, 2001. As they got closer to the street, they lived on, they saw a produce truck full of pears. The man driving the truck gave them a wink they both looked at each other and broke out in laughter. Joshua said, “Hey Michael how bout we don’t eat pears for a while.”

The End.