Smoking marigolds

"She was the sweetest little old lady... I never would have known!" Kathy breathed to her husband, exasperated. Her head hit the pillow after a long day visiting homes of those she cared for. She sighed and turned to John. "You reckon I should say something?"

"Naw, hon, just leave the little lady alone. Don't go makin' trouble." John climbed under the covers. "Can you turn off the light, hon?"

Kathy sighed. "Alright, but I just don’t know if I can look her straight in the face anymore." She kissed John and slept it off.

- -

"Hi Mrs. Johnson," Kathy said, as normal as could be, as Mrs. Johnson opened the door. Kathy went inside. Mrs. Johnson echoed her same refrain: "Oh, just peachy, as always, dear!" Would you be staying for tea today? I'm making a fresh batch ready for the ladies.

"Oh, no, I'll pass." Kathy said. I'd better play it safe. "I'll get on to the laundry then, yes?"

"Sure, sweetie." Mrs. Johnson said cheerfully. She scuttled into the kitchen and slowly started breaking herbs into the mortar and grinding them with a pestle.

"So the ladies are coming again today?" Kathy asked, innocently.

"Oh, you know we've been meeting twice a week! Did you forget? Some have threatened to start coming every day, but you know these plants don't grow that fast!"

After starting the washer, Kathy turned and quietly asked, "Do your kids know you have the tea parties?" "Oh yes, My daughter said she's so glad I have the company since they haven't been able to visit as much."

Okay. Her kids must know. I'll butt out and not worry about it again. None of my business. Oh... I can't help it...

Kathy, now more curious than ever, asked, "So, when did you start having friends over for tea?" "Well," Mrs. Johnson said, "I suppose it's been a few months. After I started these new herbs, I had more than I could use myself, so I thought I would share.

Kathy, curious now, thought, Maybe I can find out without asking. Mrs. Johnson could really go on once you get her started...and I know just what'll do it: "What all do you grow?"

Mrs. Johnson took the bait. "Well, I have sage for memory, peppermint and dill for tummy troubles, rosemary for allergies, and garlic for everything!" She paused, "I have thrown in a few other pretties, but they have to be useful! I planted lavender, but the dandelions and clover just grow on their own." And she took a breath, "The roses out front, someone else planted years ago, I just use them because they have a nice flavor. Some of the flowers, now, they are there to keep bugs away, but sometimes I make them up into ointment for sunburns, but that's a little trouble."

She kept talking and grinding away, after each batch, she'd add it to a ball-shaped strainer she put in the kettle. For some of the herbs, she would grind some, and set others aside in little bundles, tied up in twine. Some, she'd mix up, lavender, peppermint, dill, some with flowers, to burn as incense.

"Whew! All that talking got me tuckered out. Kathy, can you set the water on?" Kathy filled the kettle, put it on the stove, and said, "Sure... Mrs. Johnson, but I think your working your herbs did you in. If you don't mind me saying, ain't no talking ever tuckered you out, ma'am."

Now, Kathy just couldn't help herself anymore and just came out with it: "Um...I noticed it sometimes smells like you burn marigolds in here. But you didn't mention any marigolds."

Mrs. Johnson waited a moment. Then she whispered, "Can you keep a secret?" Kathy, conceding after a moment, "Yes, ma'am." After all, John said not to say nothing to anybody. What would it hurt?

"Well that's actually marijuana, you know, pot?" Mrs. Johnson admitted, a little sheepishly, "One of the ladies brings it with her."

"Is that so?" Kathy feigned obliviousness. "Your secret's safe with me." And now, with her curiosity finally satisfied, she went on about her chores.

- The End -