PEP TALK

“Okay, everyone. Listen up!” I placed the mums next to a small hay bail. “We’ve got to work together this year.”

My son Alex came out the front door. “Who are you talking to?

“All my mum friends I just bought.” I pointed to the three plants lined up in front of the stairs. “I’m pretty sure you know my success rate when it come to mums.” I sighed sadly.

Alex nodded his head. “It’s not very good.”

“Exactly!” I pointed to the mums and couldn’t help but accuse them. “Because you refuse to give me any kind of warning. All you need to do is get a little droopy. But no! Instead you go from looking fine one day to dead the very next day!”

When I was done scolding them I started to walk back to the car. “Can you help me with the rest of the decorations?” I called over my shoulder to Alex.

Alex followed me and I handed him a net bag of gourds. “Here, you carry these and I’ll get the pumpkins.”

We carried them over to the display.

“Can you go get the scissors from the kitchen so I can cut open the bag?” I placed the pumpkin next to the mums and went back to the car for the other one.

Alex was coming out with the scissors as I was placing the other pumpkin on the other side of the display.

Alex handed me the scissors and I cut open the bag and began arranging the gourds on the hay bale.

Once I was done I stepped back to admire my work. “It isn’t until the pumpkins and mums come out that I really feel like fall is officially here!” I smiled as I wiped some sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand. “Even if it’s still in the 70’s!”

“I don’t know.” Alex didn’t seem convinced. “The weather’s telling me it’s not fall yet.”

“But look at everyone else!” I cried as I pointed to our neighbors homes. “Everyone’s decorated for the fall!”

“Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean you have to.” Alex reminded me.

I had to laugh. “Okay let’s not use what I used to say to you when you were a kid!”

Alex began to laugh. “Hey, it seemed like sound advice back then I thought it might be useful for you today!”

I looked back at the display. “I guess I should fill up the watering can and give them a good drink.”

I started to head for the back yard when I stopped and took out my phone. “Maybe I should get a picture of this before they die on me.”

Alex started to laugh again. “I guess you’re thinking that pep talk you were having with them might not work?” he asked.

I checked the photo to make sure I liked the picture before slipping the phone back into my pocket. “I know me.” I sighed as I shrugged my shoulders. “Mums and I just don’t seem to have a good relationship.” I looked over at the flowers before heading to the back yard to get the watering can. “But I’m always willing to give it a try guys!” I called over my shoulder. “Just give me a little help this year. Okay?”

“Good luck with that!” Alex called before heading back into the house.