The Healing Horse, Ch. 28, Scene 2: Like a Living Monet
The Bel Air was a clean, crisp car, and Karen always felt distinguished riding in it. She savored each of the forty-five minutes that Mama drove from their Topanga Canyon bungalow down to Tammy’s house.
In Tammy’s luxurious Cheviot Hills neighborhood, plantings of acanthus and mums in white, yellow, purple and gold stood alongside asparagus ferns and impatiens below the palms that towered above the median strips on the major streets. Kitten smiled at their beauty.
Mama turned into a cul-de-sac and parked at the end. In front of Tammy’s Mediterranean style home, more flowers grew in the rock work terracing. Red, yellow, and white roses decorated both sides of it and bordered the brick path that led across the manicured from lawn from the sidewalk to the front door.
An extraordinary Thai Delight bougainvillea grew on each side of the three-car garage, like a living Monet, spectacular with rosy pink and creamy white blossoms. To the left of the house, a gray birch, with its elliptical leaves and peeling bark, made the flowers seem even brighter. Potted plants accented the terrain. Lavender and purple salvias in terracotta pots graced the brick pavers just before the entrance. Beside the archway that sheltered the front door, a courtly peppermint willow tree drooped to the ground, its leaves swinging like a pendulum in the breeze. Beneath the living room window, Miss Ruby buddleia and other butterfly bushes with their vivid pink flowers attracted butterflies and hummingbirds.
“Oh, Mama, how enchanting, the beauty and grace. And so tranquil. Don’t Tammy’s house and this beautiful neighborhood make you feel at peace?”
“Yes, of course, my Krana Layala, but don’t you feel that way about our new home, too?”
“Yes, Mama, but there’s something special about this house. Or maybe it’s just because my friend Tammy lives here.”
“That could be it. Are you still sure you want me to drop you off? Don’t you want your Mama to stay in case you need me?”
“No, Mama. I’ll be okay. It’s important for Tammy and me to visit on our own, away from school. It’s what girls our age do. We should get to do it, too.”
But after saying this, she felt a dark premonition. Something ugly would happen here, and soon.
“Okay, my daughter. I’ll stay just long enough to be polite, and then I’ll make myself scarce. I can run some errands and pick you up later.”
Karen did not reply. She just pulled the door handle.
Original text ©2022 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.
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