Glade Wyllop
On a bright and sunny Thursday morning, two individuals sat in white wrought iron chairs underneath a large shady tree. One individual fit in perfectly with the haphazard vegetable garden surrounding the tree. The other individual looked as if she belonged in a sophisticated cafe somewhere in Centrapolis sipping lattes and chatting about current events. A well worn straw hat sat on his head, and a pair of gardening gloves placed carelessly on his crossed leg. She wore large turtle shell sunglasses and a pressed two piece suit in charcoal with a white silk shirt.
A small rickety table played support to an array of home grown vegetables: small yellow tomatoes, heirloom cucumbers and carrots, and a variety of lettuces sitting randomly on a platter. Those presented were just a small sample of what was grown in this rural garden. Also on the table there were two glasses of lemonade and a small recorder. The urbanite woman was a reporter for Channel 5 news. The station was doing a small RP piece on healthy eating, something about trying to boost viewer numbers with heartfelt stories from around Subeta's agricultural community.
The woman fiddled with her recorder, pushing down a small red button and speaking in a clear voice the date and time.
"So tell me, Bryophyta, what made you decide to become a gardener?"
He readjusted his sitting position before responding, stabilizing the gardening gloves, "I just love vegetables, ma'am."
She surveyed her surroundings and gave a short nod to herself, reaffirming what he said. "Would you consider yourself a vegetarian, or maybe even a vegan then?"
He laughed at her question, but was thoughtful in reply, "I can see how you'd come to that conclusion, ma'am, but I do enjoy and eat meat as much as the next Subetian. Growing vegetables and eating healthy has become a life goal and experience for me, ma'am. I like things simple."
The woman couldn't help but smile as she listened to him talk about his passion. She took note that his eyes constantly roamed over his garden of simplicity. There was no organization to his growing methods that she could spot either. Tomato plants were scattered around, growing next to carrots or bell peppers. The different lettuce and cabbage strains were nestled close to one another, but with ample growing room for development. Vibrant purple eggplants dangled from vines next to green beans.
"Ma'am? Would you like to try one of the yellow tomatoes? I picked them just before you arrived," he said as he lifted a platter of vegetables and presented them to her.
She eyed the small yellow tomatoes with mistrust before reaching forward to pick one of the smaller ones. She popped it into her mouth and began chewing. After swallowing it, she helped herself to another, and then another. A smile of pleasure danced on her lips after eating the third.
"Dear Shinwa, these are delicious! I've never had a yellow tomato, but most certainly never had one with this unique flavour. Thank you!" she replied, with that smile still present.
"No thanks needed, ma'am. I'm glad you enjoyed them so much. They're a very special variety I have been working on and trying to master. Maybe I finally reached my goal," he said and popped a small orb into his mouth to taste. "Mmhm! Very good indeed"
The woman helped herself to a small carrot and noticed the delicate leaves and greens were still attached. One often saw such displays at farmer's markets, and most certainly never in a Centrapolis super market. It is amazing the differences between the rural and urban living. Vegetables presented in their natural forms for the healthiest of all snacks.
The urbanite and the gardener continued to chat long into the afternoon. When it was time for her to depart, the gardener brought out a medium sized basket and filled it with an array of vegetables from his garden. He presented it to her as a farewell gift, and encouraged her to visit again in autumn when there would be different vegetables to enjoy.
As she drove away from his slice of simplicity, he waved goodbye. When her car had turned onto the main road, he wandered around to his garden, looking for renegade weeds to pull.
"Those tomatoes were the best yet, guys. Let's keep at it, ok?" he said to himself and to his beautiful vegetable garden. He spotted a weed and went over to pluck it out.
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