For the Gift of a Tomato
Lettie is an old lady, now. Her once fiery red hair is snow white, and her once flawless complexion is now wrinkled. But her bright, blue eyes have not dimmed with age. They shine with happiness, just as they always have. That happiness is contagious, for, when others see Lettie beaming, they start to beam, as well.
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When asked why she is so happy, Lettie replies, “I have so many things for which to be thankful. At the age of 100, I am alive. My mind is still alert. My body is still active. My eyes and ears still work.”
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“Oh!” grumbled old Mr. Spears as he turned away. Under his breath, he muttered, “She’s a regular Pollyanna!”
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Lettie heard Mr. Spears’ comment and smiled. She was glad people saw her as a Pollyanna. “Thank you, Mr. Spears!” she said. “I’ll consider that a compliment.”
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The man shook his head in disbelief and started to walk away.
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“Tell me, Mr. Spears, how is your garden this year?” Lettie called after him.
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The man stopped and looked around at her. “It’s coming along.”
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“Will you have more of your wonderful tomatoes this year?”
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Spears nodded. “In a month or so.”
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“Splendid! I hope you will let me have some when they come in.”
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“Sure! I’ll bring some.”
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The tomatoes came in, and Mr. Spears took a dozen of the plumpest ones to Lettie.
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“Oh, my! So very many!” she exclaimed happily. “Now, I will have enough.”
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“Enough, Miss Lettie?” he asked.
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“To share. One should always share their gifts, don’t you think? I have a new neighbor this year, so I will need this many to make them stretch.”
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“You give away my tomatoes?”
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Lettie smiled and nodded. “Well, most of them. I always keep two for myself. I give two to Miss Amy, who always seems so sad. They make her come to life, you see. And I give two to Amelia, who comes to clean my rooms. Then, I like to give two to little Jeremy, who brings my mail and newspaper each day. Did you know he shares them, as well? He takes out his pocket knife, cuts them into wedges, and shares them with his friends. And, let’s see… Yes! I remember, now. I always give two to Miss Carrie. She said she can add your two good tomatoes to her mediocre ones and her canned tomato sauce takes on a special flavor that no one can copy, even though they use the same recipe.”
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“I see. So, who will receive the last two?” Spears asked.
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“Miss Betty, I think. Her husband died earlier this year, and she moved here to be closer to her children, except that they are all wrapped up in their careers and have no time for her. I think I’ll give the last two to her.”
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When Mr. Spears turned to leave, there was a smile on his lips. He had no idea so many people looked forward to receiving his tomatoes. Incredible! Why, for all these years, he had thought they were just something he grew each year to help pass the time.
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For the Love of a Tomato appears in A Part of Me on Amazon Kindle.​