part 13 {rach}

“Um, no, I guess…daisies have always been my favorite flower.”
Bernice de Viliano gave Eliana a peculiar look. “Oh,” she said, “well, they are a bit common, but I must agree with you, they are lovely specimens nonetheless. They have a very simple beauty, don’t you agree?”
“Oh, to be sure,” Eliana said, nodding her head emphatically.
“Very good,” Miss de Viliano ejaculated, smiling widely.
“Yes, very good,” Mrs. Zangler repeated. “Now, let’s get down to business, Bernice. I would like you to hold something for me.” She opened the top drawer of her desk and pulled out a small paper bag. “Hold out your hand,” she said, and Miss de Viliano complied. Mrs. Zangler poured out about a dozen small, black seeds.
Miss de Viliano cringed, making a face. “These are dihydrondicatle Popenlamusted seeds!” she exclaimed. “Oh, take them back, quickly, take them back.”
“I want you to take them home with you, Bernice,” Mrs. Zangler said quietly.
“I couldn’t possibly!!” Miss de Viliano cried. “You know how much I loathe this specific species!”
“And that’s why I want you to have them,” Mrs. Zangler said. “Take them home, plant them in a nice pot with good, healthy soil, and watch them grow. Make friends with them, Bernice. It will do you good.”
Miss de Viliano’s lip quivered. “Are you absolutely, positively serious?”
“Yes I am,” Mrs. Zangler said, smiling. “It’s an order from your psychiatrist.”
“But how can I make friends with…with a Popenlamusted plant? Especially one that is dihydrondicatled? It’s absolutely impossible. You know my aversion towards them, Ophelia.”
“Think of it this way, Bernice,” Mrs. Zangler said. “These plants are lonely! They’re hardly ever grown in captivity, and they’re usually eaten by the wildlife everywhere else. You could give this plant life!! You could give it friendship, love, and a reason to thrive! This is your assignment for this coming week—please try to be kind to it?”
Miss de Viliano sighed. “I can try,” she said, pouring the seeds back into the paper bag.
“Very good, Bernice, I’m proud of you,” Mrs. Zangler said. “Please bring the plant in for your appointment next week. I’ll see you then, alright?”

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to quote the random internet find Douglas Adams, "Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss." how profound. (?)

goodbye.