888. Gilbert’s tomatoes

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888tomatoes

Anyway, Gilbert had always grown tomatoes. And now he was eighty-four and the doctor had said something like “Another four months and you’ll be gone.”

Eighty-four is not too bad a number, thought Gilbert. And he had just enough time he hoped to plant some tomatoes, now that the frosts had passed. He should get a few fresh tomatoes before the hearse called in to pick him up.

The tomato vines were loaded. It was as if they knew this would be Gilbert’s final season and they poured out their gratitude for his seventy years or so of caring for tomatoes. There were dozens and dozens of tomatoes just beginning to ripen.

And then… and then… (I know, dear Reader, that you think he’s going to drop dead before he gets to eat a tomato, but he doesn’t. In fact he’s still feeling quite good, especially with the medication). And then… and then… just as the dozens and dozens of tomatoes were beginning to ripen, some thief came in the middle of the night and pinched the lot.

Anyway, as it turned out, it was Gilbert’s last tomato season.

To listen to the story being read click HERE!

37 thoughts on “888. Gilbert’s tomatoes”

                1. Cynthia Jobin

                  My cold virus seems on the wane…but now my dog is acting…well…funny…no energy, little interest in food, shaky…I’m keeping watch, at the moment. She’s twelve years old— average life span for one her size and type. I kinda can’t believe this will end sadly. With the loss of Beau so recent, I feel like I’m in one of Bruce’s stories!

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                  1. Bruce Goodman Post author

                    Oh dear. Let’s hope she’s picked up your cold – which they can do I believe. Tomorrow’s story has a most unhappy end, so I hope it will cheer you up. You must not step into the stories!!!

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                  2. thecontentedcrafter

                    Heavens sake Cynthia don’t be in one of Bruce’s stories, they don’t very often end with singing and dancing you know!! I do hope your dear wee girl comes right, maybe she is missing Beau, were they companionly? I’m glad your virus is giving up – hold out for spring!!

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                    1. Cynthia Jobin

                      You could be right about the missing Beau thing. He was around for her entire life, and is now missing. Strange the things I’m noticing about the animals, what they do and seem to know. Spring is indeed on the way. All the snow has melted, and though there’s no green yet, when you take a deep breath, there’s that whiff of it in the air.

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