“It’s not fair, you can’t make me like it here!”
Paul folded his arms across his chest and stared at his mom.
Julia sighed. This move wasn’t going as well as she’d hoped.
“I’m not trying to make you do anything. If you choose to be miserable, there’s not much I can do about it. But, you will not be rude to your grandparents, your aunts and uncles, or your cousins by disparaging their hometown. Bradford may not be as exciting as Los Angeles, but we can’t afford to live there anymore.”
“Dad says the divorce was your choice.” Paul retorted.
“I’m sure his fiancée would disagree, but let’s not go there. I’m sorry what happened between you father and me disrupted your life. That’s not fair, and you have every right to be upset. If life were fair, I’d be 5’10” with a modeling contract and a singing career.” Julia sucked in her cheeks and pretended to strut down a runway singing off key.
“Gross!” Paul made a face clearly disgusted, but he smiled, then laughed for the first time in days. “It’s not that you’re not pretty enough but have you ever seen those TikTok videos and the ridiculous clothes runway models have to wear?”
Julia took the shade off a table lamp, placed it on her head, and batted her eyes. “Whatever do you mean?”
Paul dissolved into fits of laughter. “Stop it mom! You’re such a goof.”
“But I’m your goof, and we’re in this together, kiddo. Never forget that!” She touched his shoulder. “C’mon, the fam will be here in an hour. I need your help in the kitchen.”
***
She watched Paul endure the seemingly endless hugs, kisses, and cheek pinching her relatives were known for. He was polite, but unenthusiastic.
After the last cheek pincher drove away, Paul started loading the coffee cups and dessert plates into the dishwasher. Julia went over to help.
“Let’s take a walk over to an old friend of mine’s house.”
“Is she gonna pinch my cheek, too? If I show up to my new school with bruises on my face, the principal might get the wrong idea.”
“It’s a small town, the principal knows me and he knows about my family. My friend ‘s name is Mr. Coswell. I guarantee he has no interest in pinching, hugging, or kissing either of us. He was my favorite teacher in high school. I had him for chemistry and biology, and he was the advisor of the botany club and the astronomy club. His wife taught home economics. She passed away a few years ago.”
“I always suspected you were a closet nerd. Isn’t he an old guy now? Maybe it’s past his bedtime. Anyway, we probably shouldn’t just barge in.”
“He’s not that old. I bumped into him at the grocery store yesterday, and he invited us over for some star gazing. He also has a moon garden, a collection of night-blooming plants.”
Julia wet the corner of a napkin and washed a smudge of lipstick from his cheek. She held it up. “Pink Flamingo, your Great Aunt Carrie’s favorite shade. Go wash your face and let’s head out.”
***
“Hello Julia. I’m glad you could make it. This must be your son, Paul. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Mr. Coswell held out his hand. “You’re just in time. Come through, my garden and telescope are out back.”
Coswell adjusted his telescope to show them the great Square of Pegasus and the Andromeda constellation.
“Paul, if you’d like, I can show you how to find them yourself the next time you and your mom come over.”
“That would be great, thank you.” Paul answered
Coswell looked at his watch. “It’s almost time for the Queen to make her appearance. Let’s head for the garden.”
Paul looked confused.
“The Queen of the Night, Epiphyllum oxypetalum, only blooms for one hour a night. I also have moonflowers, Angel’s Trumpets, Night Phlox, and Chocolate Daisys. “
Julia and Paul watched in awe as white, yellow, green, and pale pink petals began to open all around them. Their scents, a mixture of lemon, chocolate, sweet vanilla, and almond filled the night air.
Julia nudged her son, “Pretty cool, huh?”
“Definitely!” he responded. “I never knew people had moon gardens. Did you ever have one?”
“I did before I got married. Your dad and I ended up using the backyard for cookouts and touch football games.”
Coswell interjected, “Fun pursuits, but maybe not as beautiful or reflective of the wonders of nature.”
“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” Julia said softly.
“Don’t you have that quote on a flowerpot?” Paul asked
Coswell turned to Julia. “You still have that silly flowerpot my wife gave you for graduation?”
“Still have the Christmas cactus, too, but it’s in a larger pot. I take my wonder seriously.”
***
As they were walking home, Paul pointed at the sky, “We couldn’t see stars this well in Los Angeles.”
Julia looked up. “Too much light pollution.”
“Maybe it won’t be so bad here, Your friend Mr. Coswell is pretty cool for an old guy.”
Julia smiled. “You’re pretty cool for a teenager.”
Frances Joyce is the editor, publisher and head writer for This Awful Awesome Life. She is the author of three books, Dancing in the Rain, His Life’s Story, and Everything in Between.