A Garden of Lilies

Pictures aren't mine but this story is my idea and original creation.

The curtains were drawn, the sun beaming through a window of a bedroom. A king-size bed laid in the middle of the room, simple ruby-colored sheets adorned the bed, and a vase of freshly picked lilies sat by the window still. A figure could be seen sitting at the foot of the bed. A tall, blonde, male in his late twenties stared lovingly at his sickly bedridden wife. Her long straight jet black hair laid gently on the pillow her head rested on. Her skin was as white as snow and she showed no sign of awakening.

Dave Ferguson has been taking care of his wife for several months now. In the early hours, Dave would clean all the windows, replace the lilies in the vase from the previous day, fix up a small meal which usually consisted of oatmeal with strawberries and a small scoop of yogurt on top. Then check up on Lily's condition and continue cleaning the house throughout the day.

"Lily love, when will you awake from this eternal slumber?" Dave said as he softly brushed his fingers through her hair while a small sad smile was present on his face. He looked over to the window still staring longingly at the lilies that sat on the window still. Dave then stood from his spot from the bed slowly walking over to the vase of lilies.

"Hey Lily, remember the day that we met? I was just a man trying to find his way through life until I stumbled upon your figure. Your beautiful hair blowing in the wind, watering hose in hand, and the most breathtaking smile decorated your face. The way you encouraged your garden to grow strong and healthy with a few smudges of dirt here and there on your face. I mocked at the hard work, devotion, and passion you put into that garden." Dave chuckled a bit recalling the memories that flooded his mind as he turned to face Lily. Making his way back to her side and took her left hand that was adorned with a simple white gold wedding band on her ring finger into his.

"I can't believe that you accepted me that laughed at you instead of with you. But I'm glad you accepted me even though you deserve more..." He let out a sigh. A small smile present on his face as he kept a strong, gentle grip on her hand. Time passed slowly but his grip never flattered as he kept a close eye on Lily's condition.

"Looks like it's time to water the flowers in the garden," Dave said while noticing the color of the sky through the window turning a bit orange. He let go of her hand placing it next to her side gently before getting up from his seat. He laid a soft kiss on her forehead then proceeded to leave the room. Closing the door behind him, and making his way down a long spiral cherry wood staircase. A light French gray painted the interior of the house. Multiple pictures of Dave's and Lily's life from when they met until she got sick hung throughout the house. Most of the pictures were taken in the large beautiful garden in their backyard. The very same garden Lily put all of her hard work into and the one that Dave disrespected.

Once he made his way down the stairs he stood in front of a sliding window door that led to the garden. Before he opened the door Dave slipped on a pair of black gardening boots and a pair of gray gardening gloves. He then processed to make his way to the garden. The lilies were at their fullest bloom while Dave grabbed the hose to water them.

"Oh! I can't forget the fertilizer" Dave reminded himself while making his way to a small shed on the left side of the garden. It was a small, white, simple shed located to the left of the garden. "I didn't use it last time because the smell was too strong," Dave stated while dragging a large, merlot bag of fertilizer out of the shed. "Haa... nothing beats homemade fertilizer than this," Dave said with a smile while evenly distributing the fertilizer throughout the garden. Then watering all the lilies in the garden making sure not to forget about a single one.

The sky was starting to turn a beautiful sea of orange, red, and violet. Dave put everything back in the shed and made his way back into his home. Taking off his gardening gear and heading to the kitchen. Fixing up a small meal for one he made his way up the stairs and entered the room. Switching the light on and placing the food by the bedside. He then made his way to the window closing the curtains that once welcomed in the sunlight.

"Lily, I'm back. How was your day? Do you like the flowers? They're in full bloom right now in the garden and I just put out the fertilizer. I hope that you can see them before they start to wither." He said as he reached out to grab her left hand before he heard a loud knock at the front door. Dave's figure stood by the bedside waiting for a moment till he heard another knock. "Looks like someone is at the door, love. I'll be back." He made his way out of the room not before switching the light off and closing the door behind him. The food is forgotten at the bedside. Making his way down the stairs past all of the pictures. Until he arrived at the front door and opened it.

"Hello? How may I help you, sir?" He said to a tall brown-haired male who looks like he's in his mid-thirties, wearing a simple beige-colored suit and holding a matching beige fedora.

"Hello sir, are you Mr. Furgeson?" The man asked with no emotion present on his face.

"Yes, what business do you have with me?" Dave asked the man sternly, questioning the man.

"I was passing by and I noticed the beautiful garden. This big garden full of lilies is quite impressive. I wonder what kind of fertilizer you use?" The man's dead eyes bored into Dave's, and Dave stared back with the same.

"So..." The man started. "How many "Lily's" did you go through?"