STEVEN BOWMAN AND KATIE CHRISTY The Greenhouse First published by Blurb 2016 Copyright © 2016 by Steven Bowman and Katie Christy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. Steven Bowman and Katie Christy asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. First edition This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy. Find out more at reedsy.com I wrote this book in my loving memory of Marie Olive Christy, May God bless you, Nanny, R.I.P. Aug. 27th, 1944 – Aug. 22nd, 2013 Contents Preface ii Acknowledgement iv CHAPTER I 1 CHAPTER II 5 CHAPTER III 10 CHAPTER IV 15 CHAPTER V 19 CHAPTER VI 24 CHAPTER VII 29 CHAPTER VIII 33 CHAPTER IX 38 Epilogue 42 Thank You, Page 43 About the Author 44 Preface “ The Greenhouse ” is a book about a man named Mr. Pryce, the characters, and their family members. No one knows Mr. Pryce’s first name besides himself. I wrote this book in inspiration from my beloved cousin, Katie Christy. I’ve chosen this subject of “ The Greenhouse ” because there are many specific factors I’ve learned by the different parts of the plants and their growth patterns and how to learn about the different cultures and languages that every character has. This book is a work of fiction that was inspired by the wonderful Katie Christy and written by me, the author of the book. “ The Greenhouse ” is about a man that is in his early forties, named Mr. Pryce, the other characters and their families from different parts of the world. The purpose of “ The Greenhouse ” is fictional and revolves around a made-up borough in London, England, called East Crossden, in the United Kingdom, in 1950. What I learned about this book is that you can learn a lot from the different languages and cultures of the friends, families, and people that come into Mr. Pryce’s life. I felt excited and proud to have my wonderful cousin who inspired this wonderful work of my first book, and it is entirely my greatest honor to write such a book as this one. Many insights have to be acknowledged by the many characters that partake of this story, like how Mr. Pryce allowed many of the people into his property, and their families. Another insight may be that it’s proven that you could learn a lot from the unique characters, their ii languages and where they came about to be. I’ve changed over this book and how it comes to be, over the differences in many of the people who inherit Mr. Pryce’s lawn and greenhouse. My acknowledgments go out to my cousin, Katie Christy, for the inspiration for this wonderful book. I want to thank my friends and family for this and hope to do more writing yet to come! iii Acknowledgement I want to thank my cousin Katie Christy for this inspiration for this 2016 novelette. She’s my inspiration, and for that, I love her. She’s the most wonderful and most beautiful woman in my life. Not only that, but she’s going to be this for my whole life. There’s a moment in my life that I’ve seemed to start my unleashed world of being a novelist in this writing world. Katie Christy, you’re the most meaningful person in my writings, and I’ll always think of you whenever I’m becoming famous for my writings, thanks for being in my life. iv CHAPTER I Early in the summer of 1950, in the London borough of East Crossden, lived a man named Mr. Pryce. When he was settling into his greenhouse, a boy named Forrester Cahill came into his greenhouse. Forrester was born in 1942, English and short, only the height of four feet two inches, weighed ninety-two point four pounds, and was chubby. Forrester was also pale, had many freckles, and his hair was short but reddish. Then, he asked Mr. Pryce if he’s opening his greenhouse, and Mr. Pryce told him it would open soon, and Forrester was the rightful age of eight. In the past, he visited Mr. Pryce’s greenhouse ever since he was five. Then, Mr. Pryce opened his greenhouse, and Forrester went in. Now, Forrester was carrying a plant of the name Field-rose, and placed it into the hole that was about a foot deep in the ground. Mr. Pryce taught Forrester how to water plants and how to give it pure sunlight. Forrester liked how Mr. Pryce taught him the plants and their growth patterns. Once Forrester got finished, he went off in the distance and came back with a friend. Now, this friend was a girl who was the age of twelve, born in 1938. She was a beautiful girl, and her name was Poppy Reed. And she didn’t know about this greenhouse. Poppy was mid-sized, only the height of five feet one inch, weighed one hundred eleven point three pounds, was normal, and she was from the Mediterranean. She also had light blonde hair and green eyes. Now, 1 THE GREENHOUSE Poppy wanted to become a part of this greenhouse, so she asked Mr. Pryce if she could come into his greenhouse, and Mr. Pryce then let her in. Mr. Pryce is seventy-years-old, born in 1880, and he was normal, only the height of six feet, weighed one hundred thirty-two point eight pounds, and he was scrawny, but muscular, who was English. You may say Mr. Pryce has trouble seeing, but with his Glaucoma , he could feel his way throughout the greenhouse, and Mr. Pryce has white hair. Poppy came in and out of his greenhouse with dirt on her arms, and that made Mr. Pryce snarl towards her. Poppy noticed it, and then she stopped. Meanwhile, later in the day, came the afternoon, and Forrester, and Poppy were hungry from planting throughout this morning, and Mr. Pryce had nothing to give them. So, Poppy came up to call her mother Vivienne, and that’s what she did. Vivienne is the age of thirty-one, born in 1919, and the height of five feet seven inches, weighed one hundred twenty-seven point nine pounds, muscular, and came from the Mediterranean. Vivienne has strawberry blonde hair and has hazel eyes. After a while, Poppy’s mother came with their food, and then Vivienne stayed awhile. Mr. Pryce asked, “Who’s there?” And Vivienne answered back, “Hello, sir. My name is Vivienne Reed. I’m Poppy’s mother.” Mr. Pryce tried to say anything, but had nothing to say in response to this because he couldn’t see Vivienne. “Good God!” yelled Forrester. “What is it, dear?” wondered Vivienne. Forrester then pointed to the animal-shaped hole in the ground and panicked with astonishment. Then Vivienne went over to Forrester, who became stressed out, and tried to calm him down while she sang a lullaby called “Hushing the Little One”. Somehow, that worked on Forrester. Poppy, by that time, wanted to help, but Vivienne shoved her aside, 2 CHAPTER I and she stopped her in her tracks. Yet, Poppy wanted to question her mother, but Vivienne refused to listen to Poppy. Forrester then was calm, and he walked away from the area and told Mr. Pryce what was happening. Mr. Pryce finally understood. However, Mr. Pryce was over in his bedroom, and he didn’t want to be bothered. Then, Mr. Pryce began by scratching his head and yelling out loud, “Why are you bothering me, Master!” Forrester wanted to cry, but didn’t. So, Forrester softly answered back, “There’s an animal-shaped hole in your greenhouse, sir.” Mr. Pryce finally understood, and Forrester took him by the hand, and led him to the place. Of course, Mr. Pryce, well known, and knew the places where the animals like to dig. Mr. Pryce then told them that the animal was a rabbit, named Mr. Bonney, and was a nice rabbit. They noticed it was a rabbit too, and they all were thankful for it. Just as they all relaxed after the whole thing, they all went into Mr. Pryce’s home. Mr. Pryce talked about the subject of wartime. “In June 1948, England entered a guerrilla war that was known as the Malayan Emergency .” says Mr. Pryce. Poppy became fascinated by what Mr. Pryce just told them. Mr. Pryce, too, became fascinated. Then Forrester and Poppy were excited about going off tomorrow and finding some new friends. So, they all sat by the fireplace where it rained until dawn and got warmed up by its glow. Until the day ended, they told some fascinating stories of what it’s like to learn about gardening and other gardening techniques, as the children remembered telling them like it’s never told before. As Forrester recalled, “It’s like this, good things come from putting the seed firmly into the ground.” Then, Mr. Pryce wonders, “Firmly, Master,” he continues, “meaning?” “It’s like this, I’ll show you,” replies Forrester, “let me give you a demonstration.” 3 THE GREENHOUSE Then Forrester grabbed pieces of blank sheets of paper and drew the seeds planted firmly into the ground. “I see, Master,” Mr. Pryce says, “is that all?” “Now you get it,” Forrester replied, “if you’d closed your eyes and imagine this diorama.” Poppy wanted to draw too, so she drew butterflies. “Do you like my drawings,” she wondered, “this one or that one?” And Mr. Pryce’s reply was, “I like them both indeed.” Thus, Poppy became pleased by his response. Yet, the day ended, and Mr. Pryce told everyone to go to their homes. After a while, after everyone went home, he felt his way to his bedroom and laid in his bed to go to sleep. The next morning came, as he awoke from a deep slumber, then woke up to an alarm. “What’s that noise!” yells Mr. Pryce, “who’s there?” Yet, there was no noise, and Mr. Pryce thought he was crazy. Mr. Pryce had a scared look on his face as it turned his skin to a white-palish color. “Seriously,” Mr. Pryce says, “whoever you are, you better stop pulling pranks on me!” However, nothing appeared to be there, and the room was completely silent. Mr. Pryce then got out of his bed, then sat on his bedside, wondering what that noise was that he heard. “No,” Mr. Pryce said, “that’s crazy, I’ve heard the noise.” 4 CHAPTER II Mr. Pryce then got out his Bible, turned to a random page, and prayed to God. “Holy Spirit,” Mr. Pryce prayed, “let there not be anything, or whatever it is.” Meanwhile, after the prayer, Mr. Pryce got out from his bedside and felt his way to his kitchen to get breakfast. Now, Mr. Pryce got a knock on his doorstep, and he wondered who it was. “Who is it?” he asked, “whoever it is, I’ve got you behind armed at the door.” Shaken and frightened, Mr. Pryce opened the door, and a man was standing with his children. This man was also thirty-four, born in 1916, had a height of six feet one inch, weighed one hundred fifty-one point six pounds, and was Hispanic. “Hello,” Mr. Pryce questioned, “and who may you all be?” Then, the man has spoken with his accent, “Hola, señor. Mi nombre es Sr. Ramón Muñoz. Este es mi hijo, Hernán Antón António Muñoz y mi hija, Antónia Noemí Muñoz.” Mr. Pryce thought that the man was crazy, as he went to shut his door, the man’s son stopped him. “Sir,” the boy said, “my name is Hernán, and this is mi papá y mi hermana.” “Hello, Master,” Mr. Pryce answered to Hernán, “and my name is Mr. Pryce.” Hernán told his father that the man was Mr. Pryce, and Hernán’s father understood. “Good morning,” said the man, “it’s so nice to meet you.” The man put his arm out to shake hands with Mr. Pryce, and they 5 THE GREENHOUSE did so. “My name is Ramón,” said Ramón, “I hope you’ll like my family because we’re new neighbors.” Then Ramón left with his children. And then Hernán comes back a few minutes afterward to get to know his new neighbor. “Hello, good sir,” said Hernán, “I’m Hernán, and I am seven.” “Nice to know, I guess?” was Mr. Pryce’s reply, “and what are you doing back here, Master?” Hernán then went into Mr. Pryce’s bedroom rapidly, and Mr. Pryce grew angry and yelled at Hernán. “What are you doing in my bedroom!” And Hernán hid in fear at Mr. Pryce. “It’s OK, Master,” Mr. Pryce said, “why don’t you come out?” Hernán then ran out of his room and out the door. And that left Mr. Pryce in confusion. “That was weird,” says Mr. Pryce, “what a strange little kid.” Then, Mr. Pryce went into his greenhouse, where he found a guest, “Good evening, and isn’t it a lovely day today?” “What the...?” replied Mr. Pryce, so astonishing, “... who are you, and what are you doing here?” It was Forrester. He then scurried to his feet and perked a smile. “It’s me, Forrester. Don’t you remember me? I’ve been your neighbor since I was a baby.” As Forrester went closer to Mr. Pryce, he let him feel his face. And he responded, “Ah, yes. It’s you, Forrester Cahill.” “Yes,” replies Forrester, “remember me?” Then Forrester left and came back with Hernán that Mr. Pryce saw earlier. “Hello, sir,” said Hernán, “It’s me, Hernán, remember? You’ve made me hid in fear from you, yelling at me.” “What,” wondered Forrester, “I thought you were new to the neighborhood?” “I am,” said Hernán, “I moved here not that long ago.” “Don’t you have any other siblings,” questioned Forrester, “like a brother or sister?” “Yes, one,” said Hernán, “her name is Antónia, and she’s ten, who was born in 1940.” “And you are... How old?” questions Forrester. “Seven,” answered Hernán, “I’m the little brother of my older sister.” Hernán was seven, born in 1943, small, only the height of three feet eight 6 CHAPTER II inches, weighed fifty-seven point nine pounds, his hair is chestnut and his eyes were bluish green. Hernán was muscular and Hispanic. “Are you like Spanish?” questions Forrester, “speak your primary language, please.” “Sí, amable señor,” answered Hernán, “y soy de un lugar llamado Córdoba, España.” “What did you say?” questioned Forrester. “Tell me in English, please.” “Yes, kind sir,” answered Hernán, “and I’m from a place named Córdoba, Spain.” “OK,” said Forrester, “well, that’s cool!” “It is?” questions Hernán. “I’ve never heard of that one before.” And both Forrester and Hernán have gone into the greenhouse together, united as best friends. Mr. Pryce felt his way to the greenhouse and went in. And Mr. Pryce got a random seed from the shelf by his feelings. And tried to feel his way to Hernán to give him the seed. “What’s this?” questions Hernán, “why are you giving this to me?” “Here,” replies Mr. Pryce, “take this as a present of my gratitude for welcoming new guests.” “Gracias, amablemente, buen señor,” said Hernán, “y tienes mi sincera gratitud, por eso, te alabo.” As Mr. Pryce felt his way back to the outside of the greenhouse, Hernán planted the seed into the ground. Forrester then taught Hernán how to water it and how to give it sunlight. “Thank you, young sir,” says Hernán, as he thanked Forrester, “you’ve got my sincere thanks as well.” Then Hernán and Forrester both watered the seed firmly, “Like this?” questioned Hernán, “am I doing this right?” “Yes,” answered Forrester, “good enough, but you’ll learn.” Then, the sun peeked through the greenhouse and landed on the spot where they’ve planted. And Hernán and Forrester were happy and excited about whatever this seed would become. “What do you think it’ll be?” questions Forrester. “Do you think it’ll be an Evening Primrose or a Meadow Crane’s-Bill?” “I don’t know?” answered Hernán, “but it’ll turn out to be whatever we believe it can 7 THE GREENHOUSE be.” Then Hernán left the greenhouse where his father was standing there in disappointment. “¡Hernán!” questioned Ramón, “¡estás en un gran problema, jovencito! ¿Dónde has estado, hijo?” “¡Dios mío! Por favor, papá, ¿podrías perdonarme por este error?,” apologized Hernán, “esto es completamente mi culpa, señor. Siento no haber venido a casa esta tarde.” Then, Hernán and his father went home, then they went off into the sunset. And then that left Forrester to himself, as he never felt this lonely before in his life. Sadly, Forrester became lonely. Mr. Pryce then felt his way out and came with a phone in his hands, “Forrester, it’s for you, it’s your Mum.” Then, Mr. Pryce felt his way back into the house and left the boy to his mother. Five minutes later, Forrester hung up the phone. “I’ve got to go home,” says Forrester, “my mother wants me.” “What for?” Mr. Pryce asked, “is it an emergency?” Then, Forrester vanished through the door, as that left Mr. Pryce misunderstood of what just happened. “I wonder what the emergency was?” Mr. Pryce still was questioning, “wow, that boy was in a hurry or something.” As Mr. Pryce went into his house, he then heard a knock at the door. “Who is it?” questioned Mr. Pryce, “I’m armed!” Then, Mr. Pryce opened the door and there, standing before him, was a woman of the height of five feet seven inches, who weighed one hundred eighteen point one pounds, was the age of seventy-five, born in 1875. She had silvery-white hair, and her eyes were bluish green. Her body was scrawny, and she was Hispanic. Her name is Ms. Alexandria Maddox. “Good afternoon, sir,” said this lady, “what a lovely afternoon, isn’t it?” “And who may you be, ma’am?” answered Mr. Pryce, as he felt her face. “Good afternoon to you, too.” “My name is Alexandria Maddox,” 8 CHAPTER II said Alexandria, “and whom are you, kind sir?” 9 CHAPTER III Then, Mr. Pryce put down his gun and spoke softly, “Nice name, ma’am,” he responded, “and I’m Mr. Pryce.” “Good name,” said Alexandria, “what’s your age?” “I’m seventy,” Mr. Pryce answered, “and yours, ma’am?” Alexandria thought about this question awhile, “I’m seventy-five.” answered Alexandria. “Do you have any children of your own?” “No,” replies Mr. Pryce, “Do you have any?” “Not yet.” answers Alexandria. By that time, Mr. Pryce asked Alexandria if she wished to come in for a cup of tea. “How many lumps of sugar?” Mr. Pryce asked. “Three,” answered Alexandria, “that’s only enough, sir.” Mr. Pryce then felt his way to the lumps of sugar and tried to feel the sugar cubes. “Three,” Mr. Pryce hesitated, “I only like two.” Then, Mr. Pryce felt his way to Alexandria, and he felt her hand and gave it to her. Alexandria then thanked him kindly for the cup of tea. “What’s there to talk about?” Alexandria wondered. Then, Mr. Pryce hesitated to talk about wartime, but Alexandria insisted on talking about other things. “Talking is good enough,” Mr. Pryce thanked Alexandria, “but there’s so much to talk about.” “How about this?” answered Alexandria, “we’ve never met before, let’s talk about that.” “Good,” Mr. Pryce said thankfully, “we should talk about that.” “Where were you born?” questions Alexandria, “Europe, perhaps?” “Why do you 10