My Secret Garden

Great Day in the Morning

Like a silky parachute caught in the morning breeze; waving it’s rainbow flag of colors that radiated from it’s center like spider’s legs, the spider’s web seemed to float in midair. It hung between the branches of the Verbena. Jaye starred at the kaleidoscope of color. She appreciated this garden that supplied her with peace, beauty, sunshine and fresh air. She sat each morning on her lounge chair in the gazebo, taking in the wonders of nature that surrounded her here. “Hey, beautiful,” called a voice. Stirred from her reverie she looked up to see Jean; coffee cup in hand, walking up the path to the gazebo. Her long tanned legs, peeking out from beneath her pink terry cloth robe as she walked. “Hey beautiful yourself,” replied Jaye. Jean bent over and kissed her on her lips. Jaye took the opportunity to peek down the front of Jean’s robe at her milky white breasts. “Hey,” said Jean when she realized what Jaye was doing. “You lesbian,” she added. “Fraid so,” said Jaye with a smile. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way,” responded Jean bending again to give Jaye yet another kiss and peek down her robe.

“So what’s on your agenda for today?” asked Jean. ”I was thinking of putting up my sign somewhere.” ”The one you made yesterday?” ”Yeah, I think I know a place near the high school.” ”Okay, I have to go to the post office so that should work out just fine.” The two sat for a while in their idyllic garden before heading out into the world.

The day was sunny; this was after all Florida, which boasted over 200 days of sun a year. Though fall was near, everything was still green; the pine trees, the oak trees, magnolia and camphor trees. To Jaye it was just common sense that hemp should be growing here too. Like the orange groves; hill after hill of orange trees stretching out from Orlando to Clermont, once upon a time, thirty years ago.

Jaye stopped her day dreaming to espy and plan for places to put her signs and fliers. A bus-stop here, a laundromat there. She looked for quick and easy access as well as visibility.

Jean steered the S.U.V. into the convenience store’s parking lot from the north. She drove past the front door and pulled up next to the dumpster on the northwest side of the building. There was little traffic this time of day and people hadn’t started to get out of work for lunch yet. Jaye quickly hopped out of the car and got her sign from the back seat. She walked ahead of the car five or six feet and pushed the little 12x12 sign into the patch of grass near the parking lot’s south entrance which faced the southbound traffic and along the sidewalk.

“It looks good honey,” said Jean as Jaye got back into the car. “You think so?” ”Of course” ”Yes you’re right. It does look good there. Come on now,” urged Jaye, “Let’s get out of here.” She was always both excited and scarred when she posted her fliers and signs. The law on yard signs was confusing so Jaye simply decided to take a chance, pray for the Universe’s protection and guidance and hope all would be well.

A week later Jaye returned to the convenience store and the sign was still there. She surreptitiously pulled it out and tossed it into the back seat. She would place it in new place on another day. She felt good about spreading the word about this miraculous plant. She took a deep breath, whispered a prayer and checked the rear view mirror as she drove away.