BLUEBERRY FIELDS FOREVER

I’d been fighting a tickle in my throat for days when I came out to the kitchen to see my son Alex standing at the stove making scrambled eggs. I started to cough in the crook of my arm.

“The pollen is still bothering you?” He asked as he opened the drawer next to the stove to get a wooden spoon.

“It’s driving me crazy.” I said as I went to the back door and saw my husband Steven working out in the garden. “Is your Dad planting the sweet potatoes?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s what he said he was doing when he went out.” He stirred the eggs.

“You know what I’d like…” I didn’t get a chance to finish my sentence before I found myself in a coughing fit.

“A glass of water?” Alex guessed as I continued to cough. “Maybe some cough drops?”

I shook my head no as I continued to cough.

“Allergy medicine?” He guessed again as he turned the stove off and went to get a plate.

I’d finally gotten my coughing under control. “No.” I answered. “A blueberry bush.”

Alex looked surprised. “That was not even on my top one hundred guess list.”

I had to laugh as I went over to the sink to wash my hands. “Your Uncle Donny gave me a few of them at our last house, but they never seemed to take.” I turned the water off and grabbed a towel. “I was thinking that I wanted to try again.” I leaned against the counter and began humming.

“What’s that song?” Alex asked as he brought his plate of eggs to the table.

“Blueberry Fields Forever.” I said as I followed him. “It’s a Beatles song.”

“I know the song.” Alex laughed. “But I’m pretty sure it’s Strawberry Fields Forever.”

I shook my head no. “We tried strawberries in the garden last year and it was a total bust! So I’ve decided to change the name of the song to fit my planting preferences.”

“I’m sure the Beatles will be thrilled.” He laughed.

I shrugged my shoulders. “They’ll never know.”

Steven came in the back door. “Who’ll never know?”

“Mom’s decided to rename a Beatles song.” He took a bit of his eggs. “She’s calling it Blueberry Fields Forever.”

Steven looked confused. “Why?”

“Because I want to get a blueberry bush for the garden. That’s going to be it’s theme song.”

Steven grabbed a paper towel and began wiping the sweat from his forehead. He walked over to the back door and looked out. “I’m not sure we have room for a blueberry bush.”

“Oh, I’ll find room. Don’t worry.” I reassured him. “Just because you took over putting the garden together this year doesn’t mean I can’t put some things in there, too.”

He waved me over to the door. I went and stood next to him as he pointed out the back door. “You’ve already got all your herbs, a rose bush, and pots of marigolds.”

“And soon a blueberry bush will be joining them.” I looked back over at Alex. “You eat blueberries every day. Don’t you want one, too?”

Alex looked from me to Steven as he put his dish in the sink and started to laugh. “I’m not getting in this one.” He said as he headed to his room. “Let me know who wins.”

“It’ll be me!” Steven and I said in unison.

“Good luck with that!” Alex called over his shoulder.