Petals. Marti Eicholz

can hear music and the laughter of children.

      The world excited Thelma. She saw opportunities. She saw a life of good fun and good health. Kenneth paused thinking I think that is why I love her so much. She has everything I want. I idolize her.

      Thelma’s junior year of high school her parents divorced and started new lives. When her mother was ready to leave town for her new family she said, “Thelma, you are a good artist. You will have a good life. I want you to have my car. When Ford brought out this Ford Taurus, it was groundbreaking for American cars. It is a good car and will serve you well. I have nothing else to give you.”

      At that moment Thelma wanted to burst into tears and screams of being tortured. She thought my mother is leaving and she can’t say, “I love you. I will miss you. We will keep in touch and see each other often.” There were no hugs.

      Thelma contained herself and looked only at the Ford Taurus that was not the usual chrome-bumper hard-edged, three-box sedan. Ford streamlined the Taurus and made it slick.

      When Thelma heard of the furniture manufacturing company coming to the area, she applied for a job. After the first interview, they granted her a position. Thelma quit school, pursued this job opportunity, got a two-room furnished apartment and enrolled in art classes. Thelma felt blessed. She had no desire to live with her dad and his new family. She had no interest in high school, except for her art class. For once she could breathe. She was free and on her own. Opportunities were just waiting for her to grab.

      Today Thelma and Kenneth walked the wonderland hand in hand. She felt so relaxed. She glanced at Kenny; he seemed relaxed. She thought we care for each other. We are comfortable being together. It is so natural.

      The spring sunshine reflected in their eyes and in their smiles, bathing the entire world in a warm glow.

      Feeling this special moment of togetherness, Kenneth turned to Thelma, “Let’s get married.”

      This did not surprise her, nor did it stun. She felt the moment and reacted quickly, “When?”

      As they hugged Kenneth whispered, “We’ll talk about it. Together we will make it happen soon.”

      There was an explosion in her brain, hundreds of ideas buzzed, and adventurous paths awaited their feet. Whatever was ahead could be a challenge, there could be tears, but it was an adventure she would take. So, she turned on the ignition of her car and smiled.

      At work in the rose garden Edith and Edward glanced up as Thelma approached in her Ford Taurus to drop off Kenneth. Everyone looked pleased to see each other.

      With excitement Edith introduced herself and Edward to Thelma, “We’re so happy to meet you. Kenneth told us he had a special friend.”

      Kenneth piped up, “I believe I smell apple pie.”

      “Come join us for a piece. It will give us a chance to chat.” So it was. The four of them shared apple pie topped with a glob of pecan ice cream with a cup of coffee. They not only shared treats, but each other with tons of smiles, laughter, and thankfulness.

      Left alone Edith turned to Edward, “This was a perfect day. Kenneth and Thelma make a perfect match.”

      Edward added, “Yes, they are a team. I now know why our son is restoring the old house. Everything will be all right.” After hugs they cleared the table.

      Kenneth had an extra bounce in his step. He walked faster, talked faster, and ate faster. He had an agenda.

      When Thelma opened her eyes, she rose and stretched voicing, “Every fiber of my being vibrates with anticipation of our union, Kenneth and me.”

      They sunbathed this special day in a warm glow. Kenneth and Thelma had a good feeling. Nothing that felt this right could go wrong. It just could not.

      This marriage was something beautiful, two hearts beating as one. She was everything he ever wanted. And he was everything she ever wished for. This day signified an opening rose with petals ready to unfold.

      Kenneth and Thelma dressed in casual clothing stood at the foot of the towering jewel of the apple orchard with their witness, Jack, the friend, driver, and survivor of the car crash. The Justice of the Peace performed a civil ceremony.

      Kenneth and Thelma eloped in the apple orchard. Scattered deep red rose petals, nature’s confetti lovingly decorated the entry of the restored old house. Kenneth placed rose buds waiting their opening strategically throughout the house as reminders of their lives unfolding. The house looked so luscious, happy, and festive.

      Kenneth lifted his bride and cradled her over the threshold, gently placing her on a welcoming bed.

      He surprised Thelma with a warm bubble bath laced with rose petals. Together they let their fingers touch the perfumed “scales” holding them briefly and taking in the aroma before letting them tumble from their hands back to the bubbles. What a way to express your deepest affection for that special someone. They were each other’s special someone.

      The moment Edith and Edward saw the Ford Taurus parked in the drive at the old house somehow, they knew. All the puzzle pieces came together. Edith baked a cake and Edward placed it on the dining table of the old house. He noticed a stillness; the house was a little quiet, but not lonely nor did the solemn walls revive memories of the losses encountered in a previous time. He sensed an aura of peace.

      Life together fell into a natural flow seemingly effortless with a fluid grace. They bicycled to and from work and shared a bag lunch always with an apple from the orchard and a walk through the woods. After work, they had a shower and a nap then supper. Kenneth shopped, cleaned, and did laundry. Kenneth assisted his father with farm chores.

      Thelma attended art classes three nights a week. Kenneth would say, “Thelma’s art is as much a part of her as her smile. Her eyes take in more details than the average person.”

      Yes, Thelma saw the world as a beautiful array of colors and shapes.

      She decorated their walls with her beautiful flower art. The flowers were white, and the yellow nectar looked sweet. The petals fanned widely over the canvas.

      One day Edith said, “Sometimes when I pass Thelma’s flower art, I think I detect a fragrance.”

      Saturday Thelma would set up her easel on one corner of the wonderland. Strolling shoppers stopped and marveled at her work with an occasional purchase, bringing a smile to both their faces. Kenneth was proud of Thelma and her creative abilities.

      They found their routine comfortable until one morning Thelma discovered a disturbance.

      Adjustments

      At breakfast Thelma could not eat and was not moving at her usual pace. Kenneth showed his concern, “What’s going on with my honey?”

      “I must have a touch of the flu just a little tired and achy. It is 'flu season' again. There are several employees taking sick leave,” casting off her symptoms.

      Her day did not run smoothly. She was nauseous, dizzy, queasy, and liable to vomit at the slightest provocation. She concluded that this was not the nasty flu caused by a virus that upsets your respiratory system, affecting your airways: nose, throat, lungs. This was more like the stomach flu, showing up in your gastrointestinal system.

      This “flu” rumbled her tummy. She tried to ignore it and move on. It would be over in a few days. After a few days, she wondered why I feel so bad. This was worse than gastric flu. It was constant stomach flu. Exhaustion took over. Getting out of bed in the morning and showing up for work took everything out of her. It was difficult to function.

      Thelma was pregnant with their first child. The doctor told her at 13 weeks she would feel better. That felt so far away to be miserable. No-one warned her it could last for five months.

      She quit her art lessons. The wonderland smelled disgusting, and any scent set her off so; she stopped painting on the corner every Saturday for sales and the pleasure of shoppers.

      Her