I Knew I’d Find Him Here
Character – burned-out kindergarten teacher- Setting – botanical garden
- Object – sunflower seeds
- Situation – 21st birthday
I knew I’d find him here. Mr. Rodkis, good old Mr Rodkis. He could never cut it with kids any older than 5 or 6, on account of that name.
“Sit down! Be quiet!” He’s bawling out the sunflowers now, although those chrysanthemums are only waiting for him to turn his back.
“That’s it, young lady,” addressed to an 8-foot plant. “You’re in time-out!”
I pincer out some more seeds from the pouch I bought at the gift shop. “Hey, Rodkis,” I want to call out, “I found your troublemaker’s baby sister.”
These tall blossoms are the Botanical Garden’s primary claim to fame. Sadly banal, as a claim to fame. Like Rodkis. I guess that’s why he always winds up here.
I thought it would feel triumphant to track him down on my 21st birthday, to look down on the cranky little man who’d looked down on me those 15 years ago.
But, in hindsight, I agree with my friends. This is a depressing place to spend my birthday.