Green Thumb

Mosquitos buzzed around Milkweed as she stared straight up at the towering plants in the dimly lighted greenhouse. Her mouth sat agape in awe as she took in the enormous plant in front of her. "Woah..." was all she could muster as she turned around to gaze over the other plants that lay in rows upon rows in the nursery.

"It's all pretty cool, huh?"

Milkweed swiveled back around, shooing away a buzzing body that came a little to close to her ear. Where did that voice come from? Her green eyes scanned the leafy forest. No other bean was anywhere in sight and she hadn't even passed any sign of mammalian life on her way in. "Is...is anyone there?" she asked aloud to what seemed like no one.

Leaves shivered in a breeze that had entered the greenhouse making Milkweed shiver herself. She pulled her sweater closer to her body, tucking her freezing hands in her pockets. For a midsummer day, it sure was rather cool in here. She felt around for a piece of paper that had led her to the greenhouse in the first place. She pulled it out and whispered the message aloud to herself.

"Congratulations young gardening enthusiasts! We are excited to invite you to one whole day studying under the famous Evergreen in their 'GREEN'S GREEN NURSERY'. We've read your entry paper and think you're perfect for the job! Please arrive at the nursery on the last day of May to retrieve your prized visit!"

It was rather forward and short but nonetheless she could feel the excitement run through her chest. Now, Milkweed was confused at the fact that she was left alone here among the plant life. Wasn't Evergreen supposed to be here? She sighed and started to admire the giant, gorgeous leaves. If she wasn't able to meet the famous Evergreen, at least she was able to be among her favorite friends.

"You have an eye for beauty."

The voice! Milkweed turned around once again, this time finding a large and slim bean towering over her. A small smile shining along with bright deeply colored purple eyes. Evergreen! Milkweed gasped and took a step back. "S-sorry. I don't mean to intrude." She looked down at her feet ashamed and feeling like she was sneaking around a private room.

Milkweed could feel a hand rest on her shoulder. "Worry not young one. You are a guest here at Green's Green Nursery! Your name is Milkweed, correct?" She looked up to find that Evergreen and bent down to her level. She nodded shyly. "I am." She whispered a reply. Evergreen smiled again and stood back up, casting their other hand out to the sea of green around them.

"Then welcome! Everything here is yours to do as you please. Garden, study, harvest seeds for your own. Whatever you want to do is free to do as you please. BUT! Before you do that, you must help me care for some of my seedlings."

Milkweed nodded in awe. She really couldn't believe that she was standing right under Evergreen's hand waiting for her chance to do what she loved to do. She smiled and quickly made haste as Evergreen lead away to the other side of the greenhouse where rows upon rows of pallet made tables held small pots with barely a sproutling. She smiled, excited at the possibilities here.

"Now, I know you're only here for a day, so I won't take up too much of your time. Follow me."

Milkweed followed Evergreen to a row of empty pots, bags of soil, and seeds laying next to the table. "These are sweet bell peppers. They need to be about an inch deep and with this organic plant soil, they will thrive in no time." Evergreen started to dig gently into the pre-spoiled pots, dropping a few seeds in before bending down and taking a scoop of soil to set on top. Milkweed watched them do this a couple of times before starting on a new pallet and copying the planting mechanisms of her mentor. Soon the whole table was done and Evergreen covered the tops in a thin layer of plastic. "To keep more humidity in." They said when Milkweed asked why they were doing that.

From there Milkweed was left alone again in the nursery, with a special remote button to keep in her pocket in case she needed help from Evergreen or one of the other workers. She had hours to herself to study the different plants and even harvested some stalks to take home to replant. It was a fun day and she couldn't wait to tell her mothers about it when she got home.