by Suzie Carr
“What would happen if the bees died? I mean would we die too?”
“If bees died out, the world would not look, sound, taste, or feel the same. Plants wouldn’t be pollinated, at least naturally, and that would result in fewer seeds produced. With fewer seeds produced, fewer plants would bloom the following season. Now, if fewer plants are grown, then the species that rely on those plants for survival would be effected. They’d have less food, and thus begin to die off. Think about all the life out here. The birds, frogs, lizards, insects, squirrels, and raccoons would be in a fight to survive. They’d do what they had to do to get food, even the unthinkable. Those who feed off each other would also lose their food supply. The birds who eat the insects would suffer from the death of the insects. The ripple would continue to spread outward across the entire system all because one major species, the honeybees, disappeared. They are that powerful. They are that necessary. Will we die? Who’s to say? If we do live, it’ll be in a world without color, variety, and the deliciousness we’re used to. That’s for sure.”
“It’s by our need to eat, that we’re killing them.” Sophie stated. “We’re the ones spraying crops and destroying their natural habitat.”
“We do tend to mess things up in this world.”
“There’s a lot of us to feed, though.” The helpless reality saddened her.
“More than ever. Of course to feed the population takes a lot of work, and a lot of land.”
“The same land the honeybees rely on to eat,” Sophie said with a heavy heart. “Your grandfather told me a little about this at Sprago’s.”
“Farmers get it wrong when they use one-hundred percent of their land to grow those fruits and veggies for us.”
“Well, they probably don’t want to waste any land because it’s expensive.”
“They’ve been educated wrong. They fear they’ll waste land if they don’t plant on it. It’s not true.”
“Your grandfather said the same thing.”
Sophie enjoyed having intelligent conversations for a change. Ashley only wanted to talk about boys lately. This talk reminded her of the way she and Jacky used to hash out ideas over ice cream sundaes.
“According to Lora Morandin, a woman who conducted a study on wild bees foraging on canola, if farmers left thirty percent of their land uncultivated, they’d have better pollination by the wild honeybees. We’d have more food for us and leave more of a healthy variety of wild flowers for the honeybees. It would be a win-win.”
“Then, why aren’t they doing it?”
“Because just like anyone else, we get stuck out of fear. They know what they have to do to yield what they need to profit. But, they don’t want to gamble on an idea that they’ve never experienced. They don’t trust the new system will work.”
“The government should step in and force them if it helps keep honeybees alive.”
Brooke sighed. “Yeah, I don’t know about that. People aren’t fond of governments stepping in to enforce new ways of doing things.”
“Then they should reward people who do apply these techniques. You know like Jacky does with dogs. She rewards them for good behavior.”
“You’re full of great ideas.”
“I should be president one day,” Sophie joked. “I’ll be the first beekeeper president.”
“You really should be.”
Sophie didn’t want to get off track. “In your opinion, why are the honeybees dying?”
“Aside from over managing lands, there’s also the problem of pesticides. They’re toxic to bees. Sometimes bees will die after they’ve landed on a recently treated flower. Other times the impact is delayed. They return home and either die, or infect the young, immature bees in the hive. Some pesticides target the brain of bees and this turns it into a slow learner and forgetful bee. Many times they can’t remember floral scents, and that spells disaster for them.”
Anger curled its way up through Sophie’s blood. “That’s insane.”
“They use pesticides to protect the seeds, and when the seed grows, it spreads through the entire plant.”
“So the pollen and nectar have it too?”
Brooke nodded.
“Then the bees eat it,” Sophie said with even more heaviness.
Brooke nodded. “If only farmers would put aside some land for them. Then the bees would eat off the wild habitat and thus be less exposed.” Brooke paused, drawing a dramatic breath. “If people planted more gardens with bee-friendly plants, then bees would have more to forage on, and less pesticides to deal with.”
Sophie wanted to go home and plant a bunch of flowers. “What if you don’t have room for a garden? You know, like people who live in cities?”
“That’s easy. They can plant wildflowers in hanging planters on their windows.”
Sophie sipped more of her lemonade, contemplating all the information.
By the time Jacky picked her up and they all said their goodbyes, Sophie had a stream of ideas running wild in her mind. She didn’t even consider the consequences of saying yes to Jacky when she asked her if she wanted to get pizza and watch a movie. On autopilot to anything around her, Sophie agreed.
As she sat next to a smiling Jacky on the couch later that evening, watching Eat, Pray, Love, she cultivated more ideas. She would urge people to write to their local council and political representatives to tell them they needed to save the bees. They needed to stop the use of pesticides in public spaces, plant more bee-friendly plants, and open up space for wildflowers along public roadways. So much could be done. She couldn’t wait to get started.
As she snuggled up under a blanket with Rosy, her heart fluttered for the first time in a while. She fell more in love with nature every time she entered into Brooke’s yard. She stepped inside of something bigger than herself. She became a necessary part to a larger cause. A sense of happiness flowed in her.
Something finally excited her.
Chapter Eleven
On Sunday morning, Marie called Jacky to invite her and Sophie out to lunch.
“Let’s meet at Flavors of India,” Marie suggested.
Jacky’s mouth watered dreaming about their Chicken Tikka Masala. “Come on, you know that Sophie hates the taste of Indian food.” Jacky sighed. “Damn I wish I could say yes.”
“I’m not in the mood to eat out anyway,” Sophie said from behind her.
Jacky swiveled around. “Weren’t you on the deck, reading?”
Sophie’s mouth trembled the way it did whenever someone hurt her. “I was.” She grabbed her water bottle on the counter and shot out of the room.
“I’ll call you back,” she said to Marie, then ran after Sophie.
She arrived at her bedroom door just as Sophie began to close it. “Hey kiddo, you know I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
“It’s okay. I get it. You like Indian food. I don’t.” She spoke like a poised executive, straight-faced with no emotions. “I like junk food. You don’t.”
“I’m so sorry.” Jacky stared into her innocent eyes. “You’re right. I do like Indian food. In fact, I’ve got a serious weakness to it. So, if I sounded disappointed, I guess I was.” Jacky stopped talking when she saw Sophie’s jaw drop. “I’m terrible at this communication thing. I’m sorry I keep upsetting you.”
“It’s alright.” Sophie crossed her arms over her chest. “If only we could communicate more like bees, we’d have no need to worry if we’re upsetting each other. I guess we’d have to learn how to dance to do that, though.”
“Dance?”
“Yup. It’s one of the ways they communicate.”
“If only I knew how to dance.”
“Yeah.” Sophie sighed. “If only.” She started to close her door.
“Seriously.” Jacky pushed the door back open. “I can have Indian food any other day. I don’t need to eat Chicken Tikka Masala right now. Auntie Marie will survive without it too.” Jacky paused, waiting on Sophie to agree.
“Go get Indi
an. You only live once. So why not?”
“It’s not as much fun if you’re not there too.”
“I’ll be fine. I want ice-cream anyway, and we’ve got a freezer full of it.” Sophie arched her eyebrow and tried to close the door again.
Jacky stopped it with her arm. “Then how about dinner? Let’s eat dinner together.”
She opened up the door slightly wider. “Maybe,” she whispered.
~ ~
Marie and Hazel spotted Jacky’s silver SUV next to the lamppost at the far end of the parking lot. In a few minutes they’d be sinking their teeth into yummy rotis and basmati rice.
“Why does she park a mile away from the restaurant?” Marie asked. “It’s not like she’s driving a BMW or Lexus. Even if someone bumped her door, no one would be able to tell. She buffs the damn car like it’s a freaking diamond on display in a jewelry store. She cares more about her car than her own life at times. The stupid thing barely runs.” Marie pulled into the spot next to hers. “Oh geez, and look at how she parks the damn car sideways. I’m going to lay into her right now.”
“Don’t. You’ll hurt her feelings,” Hazel said, wrapping her hand around Marie’s wrist. “Not everything demands a lecture. Let her park her car sideways if it brings some joy to her heart.”
Hazel protected feelings like she guarded the future of mankind. Marie could be walking around with a piece of spaghetti stuck to her cheek and Hazel would never tell her for fear she’d hurt her.
“It’s so wrong.”
“Zip it.” Hazel opened up her door.
“Fine.” Marie fastened her mouth shut for the sake of a good meal in the making, one she didn’t want a heap of metal on wheels to ruin.
As they approached her, Marie caught sight of a newly relaxed version of her friend, replacing her usual defeat. “You look amazing.” Marie studied her smoother looking skin and brighter eyes. “What happened?”
“I woke up on the right side of the bed, I suppose.”
Jacky took the lead to the restaurant, and Marie and Hazel fell in line behind her. “Is it me or is something different about her today?” Marie whispered.
Hazel nodded.
Marie watched her friend stride across the parking lot with a bounce to her step. That kind of pep could take a lady places, and if she surmised correctly, a certain beekeeper planted that in her.
~ ~
Jacky entered the restaurant and was unable to stop her cheeks from their upward pull. Since her night of Uno with Brooke, she couldn’t wipe her from her mind.
Even when she ordered the buffet for lunch, she couldn’t stop smiling. Marie watched her, causing Jacky to break out into a goofy grin.
The three of them walked up to the buffet station and gathered their plates, silverware, and napkins. As Marie spooned lentils onto her plate, she barged into Jacky’s business. “I bet the ten dollar bill in my wallet that your smile is coming from something other than this Indian buffet.”
“Can we get through the buffet line before you start?” Jacky slapped Marie’s hand and the lentil spoon fell into the pile of roti.
Marie paused in dramatic fashion, so the entire buffet line could listen to their hushed conversation and speculate on the critical nature of their dialogue. “I can’t take you anywhere. You’re like a two-year old.”
Hazel snuck up between them, her plate already overflowing with vegetables and creamed spinach. “Why are you whispering and hitting each other?”
“Because Jacky’s hiding something from us.” Marie piled creamed spinach on top of her rice.
“Whatever’s on her mind is none of our business.” Hazel pinched Marie’s side, grabbed a roti and headed back to their table.
Jacky finished filling her plate and headed back to the table, too. A part of her wanted to talk about things. Her emotions festered and grew too big on their own. Maybe by puncturing their incubator, they’d stop feeding off her vulnerability and fade away.
“Okay, listen,” Jacky set her plate down and faced the curious stares from her friends. “Let’s just say Brooke and I are on the verge of forming a friendship and leave it at that.”
They collected her words and shared secret opinions with each other on their side of the booth. They didn’t speak, only stared at each other, exchanging eye rolls and curled up lips as a prelude to what would eventually come out of their mouths. They often spoke in a silent language, crafting entire conversations and working out problems without ever opening their mouths.
Their food grew colder with their attempt to tighten their lips.
Finally, Jacky dug her spoon into her curried chickpeas, gathering up a scoop of rice on the way to her mouth.
“A friendship,” Marie finally said. “Sure why not.”
Jacky chewed, contemplating her next move. Just like in a chess game, she needed to be strategic. Say too much and she’d never hear the end of it. Say too little, and Marie would dig until she bled. “She’s got a nice smile.”
Marie slapped the table. “Ah ha!”
Hazel elbowed Marie. “Take it down a notch.”
“This is why I don’t talk to you. You turn everything into a big, goofy deal. In your mind you probably equate a nice smile to I want to rent a U-Haul and move her in.”
“Well, your comment does beg the question,” Marie said. “I mean, a smile is a big thing for you.”
It was a big thing. The last time she told Marie she liked a woman’s smile, she ended up renting that U-Haul and moving Drew in. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for a beautiful smile.”
“There are worse things you could be.” Marie gulped some water.
Jacky picked at her chicken. “I feel guilty.”
“You’re not a robot,” Marie hissed. “Good God woman, you’re entitled to enjoy a smile.”
Hazel cupped her chin in her hand. “She does have a beautiful smile.”
Marie’s jaw dropped, and her eyebrows furrowed.
Jacky picked up her spoon and shoveled a pile of rice into her mouth, avoiding the obvious jealousy. They didn’t have to announce their love for each other. Times like that, one only had to look at them to understand they shared more than the disguise of friendship.
Marie shoved half a roti between her lips. Hazel flinched and stabbed her spinach with her fork.
The two of them attacked their food like they were slaying dragons with dull butter knives.
Jacky washed down her food with a mouthful of water. If Marie could bait her with questions, why couldn’t Jacky return the same? “What just happened?”
“Nothing,” Marie snapped. “Mind your own business.”
There went her damn hormones again.
Hazel faulted in managing a grin. It landed on her face like a twisted heap of metal, poking out here and there in haphazard directions.
Poor Hazel.
~ ~
When Jacky returned home after lunch, she found Sophie on the couch, knees propped up by a pillow, head resting back, eyes closed, earbuds plugged into her tiny, perfect ears. She tiptoed past her and into the kitchen where she put a turkey sub with provolone cheese in the fridge for Sophie.
She gazed out through the serving counter and into the living room. She’d never seen Sophie look more relaxed. The bees must have been having quite a positive effect on her, as Brooke said they might.
Jacky bowed her head. She picked up the pile of new mail that had arrived and flipped through it, tossing the junk mail into one heap and the bills into another. Drew’s name still appeared on the cell phone bill. She picked it up and stared at her name. Seeing it on the envelope kept Drew closer to her, but she knew one day she’d need to cancel her cell phone and put the name into her own.
She may as well suffer through a second death.
She shuddered. She’d never take that bold step.
She tossed it on top of the bill paying pile.
Another month won’t harm anything.
She walked back out to the living room and pas
t Sophie.
“Oh, hey.” She rose up into a seated position, her knees still propped up in front of her.
“I got you a sandwich in case the ice-cream didn’t fill you.”
“Thanks.”
“What are you listening to?”
She shrugged. “Research.”
“On?”
“Bees.”
Their one word discussion tore at Jacky. “Anything worthwhile?”
“Yeah. A lot.” Sophie pulled the pillow out from under her knees and stood up. “You can listen to it if you want.” She offered her earbuds and iPad. “I’ve got it set to play again.”
Jacky eyed the iPad, reluctant to accept. She’d rather have an interesting conversation with Sophie instead of being shoved into a corner to listen alone. But, Sophie did extend a branch, albeit a small twiggy one. Jacky reached out. “Sure. I’ll listen.”
Sophie circled around Jacky and called Rosy. “Come on girl. Let’s go for a walk.”
“I can go too,” Jacky said.
“Nah. You’ll enjoy listening more.”
In other words, Sophie didn’t want anything to do with her. Again. “Alright, then. Have fun and be safe.” I won’t force myself on you.
Sophie secured Rosy’s leash and opened the front door, leaving Jacky frustrated.
She looked around the room and saw a pile of dirty dishes on the coffee table. Sophie’s sloppiness irked Jacky. Just like her mother. She acted like fairy goddesses flew in through the vents when she left a room and swept up the mess with their magic brooms.
She wouldn’t nitpick though. She swallowed the bitter taste that crawled up her throat and picked up the mess. She brought the dirty dishes into the kitchen and began washing them before they got any stickier. Then her phone rang.