JANUARY ORCHID

I’d been at the grocery store and was bringing in the bags when my husband Steven met me at the door.

“Here, give me those.” He reached out to take the bags from me. “Are there any more in the car?”

I turned around to head back to the car. “Just my little ray of sunshine to get me through the next few months.”

Steven brought the bags into the kitchen and was unloading them when I walked in carrying a beautiful purple orchid. “My annual New Year’s orchid plant!’ I said as I held it up for him to see, turning the pot around so he could view it from all sides. “Isn’t it beautiful?” I couldn’t help but smile as I went into the living room and placed it on the exact same table I always put it on in January.

I came back to the kitchen and started helping put the groceries away.

“What do you mean it’s your annual New Year’s orchid?” Steven asked opening the cabinet and putting the loaf of bread away.

“What do you mean?” I opened the refrigerator and put the milk carton away. “You know I get an orchid plant every year after I put the Christmas decorations away.”

“I do?” Steven shook his head as he folded the empty bag and placed it on the counter-top.

“Seriously?” I couldn’t believe he was asking that. “I make a big deal out of it every January! Saying how, after the holidays, the house seems so empty. How much I need a pop of color with something blooming to get me through the winter while I wait for signs of spring?”

Steven shrugged his shoulders. “Okay, well I’m glad you got it.”

I shook my head again. “You really don’t remember an orchid on that table every winter?” I was pointing to the table in the living room.

Steven shook his head. “Not really.”

I couldn’t let it go. “You literally turn that light on every morning for me.” I was pointing to the lamp right next to the orchid.

“Well, I don’t want you to have to come out to a dark house every morning when you get up.”

“And I appreciate that! I really do!”

By now our son Alex had come out to the kitchen. “What are you two arguing about?”

“We’re not arguing. We’re having a discussion.” I pointed to the orchid. “I picked up an orchid and your Dad doesn’t remember that I get one every January to brighten up the house.”

Alex looked over at Steven who just shook his head and sighed.

“Well, if it makes you feel any better I don’t remember you getting one every year either.” He went over to the refrigerator and opened it.

“Really?”

Alex pulled out the water jug, put it on the counter and got a glass out of the cabinet. “I mean, I guess I’ve seen one over there before.” He poured the water into the glass. “I just didn’t know there was a schedule.”

“Every January!” I cried. “Right after I put the Christmas decorations away!”

“See it’s not just me.” Steven said as he came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “But it’s pretty just like you.”

“Nice save.” Alex laughed as he put the water jug back.