A Rose By Any Other Name
12/03/21 12:30
Sidney and Arabella Thornberry lived for their family - and their garden. When they had work they dreamed only of being in the garden tending it, nurturing the future direction of its being. They’d won countless awards at garden festivals for their flowers. Their roses in particular were a sight to see and an aroma to savour. “The Thornberrys Win Again” was an annual headline in the local press when the Addlington Festival came around.
It was a close run thing as to whether the garden or their children was the love of their lives. It was best not to ask unless you enjoyed awkward silences.
Rose was their eldest. She was an accountant. Their second was Marigold a personal trainer for the C class stars of YouTube and Instagram. Petal was the second youngest, a driving instructor living far away; in less than exotic Northampton. They each hated gardening with a passion. In family get togethers they would muse whether their names were the reason for the animosity towards all things gardening. Rose said they had reverse nominative determinism.
The only exception was the youngest, Brenda. She loved the garden and worked in a florist on the high street. Petal said it proved Rose’s assertion that all the children had reverse determinism and argue it must be a genetic condition. Petal, Rose, and Marigold were jealous of Brenda’s name and she of theirs.
Brenda got married in a dress that looked like it had been made by fairies from the petals of wild white and pink flowers picked fresh from the forest. It was the essence of summer for her; although she married her sweetheart, Benjamin, on a cold and wet day in November.
All the Thornberrys were sure Brenda had chosen Benjamin for his surname. Brenda Bloom would never admit it, but of course she did.
__________
WC: 306
Mid Week Flash. Week 190
It was a close run thing as to whether the garden or their children was the love of their lives. It was best not to ask unless you enjoyed awkward silences.
Rose was their eldest. She was an accountant. Their second was Marigold a personal trainer for the C class stars of YouTube and Instagram. Petal was the second youngest, a driving instructor living far away; in less than exotic Northampton. They each hated gardening with a passion. In family get togethers they would muse whether their names were the reason for the animosity towards all things gardening. Rose said they had reverse nominative determinism.
The only exception was the youngest, Brenda. She loved the garden and worked in a florist on the high street. Petal said it proved Rose’s assertion that all the children had reverse determinism and argue it must be a genetic condition. Petal, Rose, and Marigold were jealous of Brenda’s name and she of theirs.
Brenda got married in a dress that looked like it had been made by fairies from the petals of wild white and pink flowers picked fresh from the forest. It was the essence of summer for her; although she married her sweetheart, Benjamin, on a cold and wet day in November.
All the Thornberrys were sure Brenda had chosen Benjamin for his surname. Brenda Bloom would never admit it, but of course she did.
__________
WC: 306
Mid Week Flash. Week 190