A Transatlantic Flower

"Richard," Hyacinth yelled frightening her husband Richard lying beside her in the dark.

"Huh, what is it? Are we being robbed" Richard was startled, it was 1 AM and Hyacinth had awoken him from his slumber. Whatever made Hyacinth coax him out of his sleep must have been imperative. He was waiting for Hyacinth to reply but all she did was beam, it looked as if she may jump from the bed she is so excited Was Hyacinth actually… delighted. The look of concern on his face turned to one of anxiety. Hyacinth was up to something. He didn't know what but it looked devious. "Couldn't this have waited until the morning," he thought. For at this point Hyacinth, by her lack of seriousness, had assured him that whatever the problem was, it caused bore no risk to life or limb. He was not a man quick to anger, in fact he was most probably one of the most long-suffering men in all of England, all of Europe, but waking him up at ridiculous hours was beyond his patience.

" Hyacinth, what is the matter? Are you alright?"

Again another pause. Hyacinth had not seemed to move since Richard was so abruptly awakened. The stillness of the room was making Richard very concerned. So much so that Richard's face was contorted into a pensive grimace. Richard has found himself in a number of pained expressions as a result of his wife. Said stillness and silence was interrupted by the faint sound of drizzle drops hitting the window.

"Richard," she replied, "I just had a thought."

"That's a human custom. I hope it was a pure thought."

"It most certainly is a pure, Christian thought. Richard, no inner-city humor with me especially with the vicarage being only a mile down the road," Hyacinth berated him.

"I'm sorry what were you thinking about dear." Richard whispered, defeated.

"What if I started a Transatlantic Correspondence." Hyacinth said proudly.

"A what?"

"A Transatlantic Correspondence, you know, to write to an American. They speak English I'm sure." She looked to Richard who nodded that that was an affirmative. I could find someone to write to, yes, and Elizabeth too. She always talked about wanting a pen pal . What do you think Richard."

He had scarcely had time to open his mouth.

"Yes, I thought you would agree with me. I shall write a note to myself so that I do not forget it in the morning." Hyacinth now switched on her bedside lamp which blinded Richard. "How he wish he could go back to sleep. How wonderful. I'll show that Jane Parker down the road who is truly extravagant."

"IS that what this is about, Hyacinth?" Richard exclaimed, flabbergasted. I've told you time and time again that she is only staying with her cousin for a little while. Then she is going right back to Blackburn. There's no need to be jealous, you are better in every way."

"I am not jealous of her, I am jealous of no one Richard Bouquet. You're right, she isn't a challenge to me," the flower-named woman replied. "Well Richard I am going back to sleep now, I do not know why you would have woken me up at such a strange hour. Goodnight dear."

The next day (or really later that morning) dawned. As was the usual in England the day started gray and temperature was in that straddling place where a jacket was not necessary but still a viable option. It was April and everyone knew the saying about that month's weather. Morning had passed without incident. The early drizzly stopped and turned into a dayspring with a partly cloudy sky. Elizabeth and Emmet had woken up in their respective had done their morning routines just like any other day. They were both sitting at the table eating the eggs Elizabeth had just scrambled.

"You know Lizzy, Hyacinth hasn't sung at me in weeks. I think the woman is finally coming around. Emmet started.

"Well after you played that recording you had of her singing Greensleeves, I think that got through to her." Elizabeth snickered.

It was true after Hyacinth heard her rendition of the folk song she stopped singing altogether, with the exception of Church. "Surely God doesn't mind my strong voice. He made it especially for me."She said.

Now that you're free from Hyacinth's singing I've been the one stuck with her more often. I love her dearly but she can be very …" Elizabeth hesitated for the right word. She opened her mouth a couple of times just to shut it again. Ii took her nearly a full minute to consider the correct word or phrase to describe her best friend. She thought of one "... intense."

"I know big sis, but stick it out and you might just outlive her." He chuckled faux maniacal.

She opened her mouth to speak when the telephone rang.

They both tensed momentarily

"Oh Liz, I'm in such a good mood, I'll answer it for you"

"Thank you, Lord" she whispered to herself.

Emmett rose out of the wooden chair with the wicker backing and walked the five steps to the black telephone Elizabeth had in the corridor. This telephone, too, could redial the number at one-touch facility.

Emmett picked up the receiver. "Hello"

Hyacinth was at the other end of the line " Oh hello Emmett"

" Oh Hell," Emmett whispered. After hearing the shrill lady who had place the call he chided himself for ever rising from his seat.

" What was that dear," Hyacinth inquired, genuinely concerned.

" It was nothing, must be a fault on the line," after months of being her neighbor, he lied to Hyacinth Bouquet effortlessly now.

"Yes, Elizabeth must get rid of that boxy black telephone with no enhancements and get one like mine." Emmett sighed quietly,but she continued. " I'm glad you answered dear because I would like to have coffee with the both of you. I came up with a constructive idea this morning that Richard loved, and I think that your sister and yourself would love it too. My goodness I believe I just said a run-on sentence. Anyway see you at 10:30 dear and bring some pens and paper."

"Why?"

Hyacinth had already hung up.

Emmett walked back to the table to Elizabeth who had not eaten a thing sing the telephone rang. "What do we have to do," she asked

"The Hell if I know"

At 10:30 sharp Elizabeth rang Hyacinth's doorbell. Emmett stood behind her with a couple dozen sheets of lined paper and four pens. As the chimes reverberated throughout the Bucket ( you would pronounce that Bouquet if you valued your mental health) residence Hyacinth's low heeled shoes could be heard making a rhythmic tapping as the lady approached the door to her dwelling. She opened the door wide. Elizabeth entered first.

"Ah, Elizabeth, fifteen seconds early, you didn't make it in charm school did you." The Bucket woman then let Emmet in. "You see Emmett right on time like a gentleman. You should teach you sister a few lessons in manners."

Needless to say, Elizabeth did not take kindly to that insult. She swallowed her hurt feelings and walked to the kitchen and approached the ornately decorated table. Richard was sitting at the table reading the newspaper.

"Good Morning Richard." She said.

"Hello, Liz," He replied, looking up and setting his paper down.

Elizabeth had always pitied Richard. She admired the way he bore Hyacinth and still love her dearly. Elizabeth always wondered if he ever pondered divorcing Hyacinth. It's a wicked though but a justified thought at that.

Hyacinth burst into the room with Emmet following closely behind.

"Sit down dears," Hyacinth said. Just as Elizabeth was lowering herself into the seat, Hyacinth bellowed. " Not there Elizabeth I like to face the window."

Elizabeth got up, sat down in a new chair , and placed her bag down. Coffee and biscuits were served.

After a few moments of silence Hyacinth spoke. Spoke is a very pleasant interpretation, it was more like she lectured the three other adults like children "Early this morning I thought of a splendid idea? Does anyone know what it is?"

Silence

"I thought that we should try to have a Transatlantic Correspondence with some Americans"

Richard looked indifferent. Emmet looked as if someone was stabbing him with a sword and Elizabeth looked puzzled.

" I think that we should get to know some people who are not from here. And show that Parker woman how international we can be.I looked up good pen pal firm. Imperial Courier is going to carry our letters for us across the ocean.

Elizabeth interjected, " I think this is a splendid idea. That explains the Pens and paper."

"Yes I even got two people for us to write to when I called." Hyacinth then got up and went to the counter and got the piece of paper. "I am going to be writing a woman named Marie Barone."

Elizabeth kept her eyes focused on Hyacinth and listened.

Hyacinth continued "She's an Italian American woman. She lives in Lynbrook New York. Apparently that is not too far from New York City. Elizabeth you can write a lady named Debra Barone, the daughter-in-law to Marie is that alright Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was ecstatic "Of course that;s alright with me, I think I'll start on that letter at home"

For the first time in a long time Elizabeth left Hyacinth's house happy.