#14

A man opened his front door and reached for the mailbox that hung on the house. As he fished his hand around the empty box, he noticed a woman walking by across the street. She was carrying a hanging plant by the plastic hook of its container. Its long green tendrils dragged on the ground behind her, seeming to wave at him for help. She did not seem to be in a hurry but she also did not stop to adjust the plant or try to prevent the leaves from limping along the dirty sidewalk.

The man was flabbergasted. Would she do the same with a dog on a leash? Or a child held by the hand? And with the prices of everything going up these days, how could anyone buy something as nice as a hanging plant only to damage it on the way home?

He shook his head and closest the empty mail box. But before going back inside, a thought flashed before his eyes: Perhaps she had not just bought the plant but was actually taking it somewhere to dispose of. Or perhaps she was going to give it to someone she did not like. The idea satisfied him enough and he was able to close his door.