What the Orchids Remember
The family is growing, have you noticed?
How can’t I, I remember when it was only you and me, on that kitchen counter. I thought she would never take us outside.
Well, you were wrong. See how nice it is now?
Yes, she has thought and thought and believe me, I never considered her able to do what she has done. This is a nice place now.
A new, timid voice intruded.
You were here since the beginning?
The two senior ones turned to look at the one who had ventured to intrude into their conversation.
Older one, with a sniff and a nod, replied. I was the first. I came from a frigid store where they had many of us waiting to be bought. She was very afraid I would die. Hmph. I would not die. Not me.
Yes, and then she decided to bring me home too. It was only the two of us, on that kitchen counter. Remember all she was doing. She even placed a blanket so we wouldn’t get cold at night.
Yes, continued Older One. And putting lights here, and there, adding lamps so we would have enough light.
Measuring the days she watered, if light was enough or not, taking photographs to share. Added the Second one.
But we are so many now! Exclaimed the third one. Look, across the space there, there is another place where many more are sitting.
Yes, those are the ones who need more sun than us. They can tolerate sun directly, not like us. I am very comfortable here, thank you.
They are different? Questioned the third.
Can’t you see? Theirs is another family.
No. Interrupted second one. Not another, now she has members of several families. Oh, I cannot wait until we are all in bloom. It is going to be marvelous.
But she doesn’t care, does she? Insisted third one. I have never heard her ask “when are you going to flower?” or “Will you flower soon?” She comes, looks at us, touches our leaves, waters us. Never have I felt pressed to bloom.
You are right with that one little one. I haven’t either. She seems to enjoy us for ourselves, not because we can bring out, or not, magnificent flowers. Agreed Older One.
She was very proud of those spidery things she brough that day, after she was so sick. Yellow like spider and the other, purplish black. She caressed the flowers softly every day when she came out. Added second one
Yes, I saw her doing that. Said third one. Why do you think?
Oh, I don’t think she doesn’t care about the flowers, she just enjoys anything we give her.
A deep loud voice interrupted this comment, and the ones who had been talking had to look up to who was talking. It was one of the ‘large ones’ the one that had come with huge flowers and leaves that made the First ones feel small and nothing.
I remember when I was brought here. She said. She was not happy.
What? How can you say that? Asked third. She is always happy when we arrive.
I say she was not happy and I know what I am saying. Insited Loud voice. You see… She appeared to hesitate. She likes you more than she likes us.
A thin silence spread along the Orchidarium.
How do you mean?
Oh, I know it well. Yes, she seemed happy, but…. She doesn’t like us, the big blustery ones, she prefers you the tiny crowd.
That cannot be. Said Older one, and then, softly. But, maybe… maybe you are right, I overheard once, when she talks into that strange thing on her hand… maybe she likes the strange spidery ones better…
That is a sad thought. Exclaimed third one. Then, she doesn’t like us?
Oh, Said Loud voice. She does like you, your flowers and your leaves, yes, I think she does like you. But us? The big ones…. No… I don’t think so.
I think you are wrong. Maybe she prefers the strange ones, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t like you. Said Companion.
You’ll see. Said Loud voice, and stopped talking to them
Do you think she’s right? Whispered third one.
She may be right, or not. Replied Older one. But by the way she treats all of us it would be difficult to say. Let’s wait. I imagine when Loud one blooms, caretaker is going to be as happy as if it was any of us. You’ll see.
Yes. Added Companion. We all, the ones in this region, came with flowers, and she enjoyed them a lot.
Not those over there in the corner. Said the third. Those never bloomed.
They don’t belong to our family, they are different. Said Older one. But you are right, we all came with flowers and gradually lost them all. She seems to keep loving us, though.
Tell me more about when you came.