VIOLET AND ROSE

VIOLET AND ROSE

Forever friends

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“Violet, I’m beyond restless. How many times have I walked through this little yard, said hello to the same people, looked at the same trees and flowers. There have been too many times to count. I need to get out! Move around. Meet new people. See new things!”

Violet rolled her eyes and thought, Here we go again. Same mantra, different day.

“Ah, Rose,” Violet repeated for more times than she could remember, “It’s a lovely yard and really, it’s not so little. The garden has so many beautiful flowers. There are several sitting areas where one could pause and enjoy each new bloom. And the people? It appears that a few new people move in here regularly every month. In fact, only last week, I saw another woman walking about.”

“Oh, you must mean Julia. I’ve already met her. Do you know she’s over one hundred years old? She told me that she had just celebrated her 101st birthday. And what a party it was, she said.”

“Is that what’s bothering you? Her age? She may be over a hundred, but she looks like she’s in her forties. She sure acts much younger than she is, but then so do we. Do you remember how old we are?”

Rose sat on one of the garden benches and sighed. “Yes, I was in my eighties when I came here.”

Violet softened her voice. “But, honey, you don’t look a day more than forty-three.” She sighed, “Okay, then. Think back to the days before you arrived. What was your life like?”

Rose looked into the eyes of her friend and said, “I remember the wheelchair I was forced to use. My legs just refused to work. I’d lost so much weight, my family worried I’d starve to death. They put me in a nursing home so I could have round-the-clock care. How about you?”

“Oh, my! Rose, I haven’t thought of that day in years. I guess I was close to ninety. Maybe a bit older. In a way it seems like yesterday and then on the other hand, it seems like a million years ago. My granddaughter, Amelia, had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl. She placed her in my arms and said, ‘Look granny. This is Violet Marie, your namesake.’ I held that little bundle of joy and told Amelia that if her daughter was anything like me, she’d definitely have her hands full. The next thing I remember was being brought here. Seeing my great granddaughter was one of the last things I remember. Then all went blank. Coma, I heard them say.”

“Oh, Violet. In one way that’s horrible but in another, it’s such a beautiful memory. I remember my nurse coming in to see me. She mentioned that my appetite had improved, and I wanted to tell her that once the menu did, so did my appetite. That hospital food was gruesome. How they expected anyone to eat it and get better is beyond me.”

“Why were you in the hospital? You never did specify the reason.” Violet asked.

“I started coughing and the doctor advised my family to put me in the hospital so I could be on oxygen, and he could have my breathing monitored. He said it was easier than trying to bring all that equipment to my house.”

“Well, I guess it makes sense.”

“It did but at the same time, I felt so bad for my sons. They were so worried. There I was lying in bed with my family around me. My sons were trying not to cry. I told them they should be happy that I was getting better. I was still weak but at least I had some soup. And, besides, I told them, that no matter what, I was put on earth for one reason, and I accomplished that. I bore two sons and raised them to be excellent husbands and fathers. My job was done. Then my Johnny walked in. Still as handsome as ever and, oh, how I wanted time alone with him! So, I asked my family to leave the room. For the longest time, Johnny stood there, just smiling at me.”

“My Nicky wasn’t so subtle. He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, smiled and said, ‘Well, Toots! Are you going to make me wait all day?’ I laughed and asked what the hurry was, and he said, ‘I have reservations to take you someplace special. Are you ready, Rosie?’ Oh, Violet, we had such a wonderful time. I felt so alive. So free. But then I woke up here. Well, if woke up is the appropriate term.”

“I believe it is, Rose. So, what’s next? Visit the other occupants? I’m sure there are many we haven’t yet met.”

“You know, Violet, I think I have a better idea. Rather than just wander around this all-too peaceful yet picturesque landscape, let’s go have some fun. How about if we go haunt someone?”

“Oh, Rose, I like the way you think, and I know just who would be first on my list.”

The friends laughed, looked around, and then silently floated out of Peaceful Oaks Cemetery.”