Come in. We're just getting started.

Suzy Hazelwood

I like roses

Red ones, pink ones, white ones… 7 days a week I’m fingers deep in the greenhouse finding ways to grow something that allows me to forget the tally of lacerations all over my face. They ache sometimes when I remember. The doctor calls it Phantom Pain, so I do un-phantom things like plant roses to distract myself. One bush for each person that raised a knife to my skin. In these moments I feel nothing or maybe joy. I have one more empty plot to go. The jingle of the greenhouse door announces my companions. Two women push in what I hope is an unconscious man. His head is bowed and arms dangling on each side. It’s the glint of a gold ring on his forefinger that gives me the satisfaction. It’s him.

Did we come too early? the shorter woman calls out to me. No, I smile, Come right in,  we are just getting started.