Love's Bloom

       (Persephone and Hades myth retelling by Ana Sofia Gutierrez-Gonzalez)

 

This story is one you've heard before. Except, this story is about imperfect mothers and daughters and how a courageous 19-year-old Persephone wanted more of the world that she was surrounded with. Demeter, Persephone's mother, was like any other mom: she worried to much about her uniquely beautiful daughter.

Persephone, a smart and independent girl, was ready for the next step: College. Demeter was thrilled for her daughter. Afterall, she raised her all by herself. But the idea of being away from her and all the changes that were coming lead to her feeling scared and melancholy.  

 

Persephone loved her mother, but like the plants they use to care at the plant nursery, the family's business; she knew so well that too much shadow can kill the most resilient plant. The nursery was their happy place, a tiny shop vibrant with colors and exotic smells. Attending the flowers and small talks was all they used to do in that place. Even though Persephone was ready to leave, she wasn't ready to break this tradition, or worse, break her dear mother's heart. Demeter kept her in a tight grip than ever before, not realizing that a young woman was living with her. Yet one dreadful day lead the train of the future into motion. Walking home from school, Persephone was haunted with the screams from her mom with her father the night before, mixed with the endless homework for the final assignments. While stuck in her bubble, she did not notice nor hear a motorcycle roaring towards her. When she realized it at last, she knew what would happen too late. She fell in terror and shock onto the crosswalk. 

The vehicle stopped just inches away before she could be run over. Moments after the loud sound of tires screeching on the pavement, the frightened rider got off the vehicle and removed his helmet. A handsome, winsome face with big grey eyes looked upon her.

He asked if she was alright. She nodded. He helped her up and for a moment, starstruck gazes were upon them.

The boy said, "Sorry, miss, truly. Didn't mean to scare you. Does getting a coffee can do the mend for this?"  

His voice attracted Persephone's attention to the point to say yes. "Lovley. Meet me at the local café after school tomorrow." Persephone stood there, flummoxed. She got asked out by Hades, the town rebel who everyone pushed away. Even though she had her doubts, she had a deep curiosity to find out if all the rumors were true, or he was like any other boy, a handsome one, indeed. She stuck to her promise the next day and went to the café. There, she found Hades sitting by himself, twirling his coffee in his hands. He looked up and gestured her toward him. Was that a blush she thought when she sat in front of him? It was awkward the first moments, until they started talking about their lives and other various topics. After what seemed like endless talking, they went their separate ways, both having a satisfied feeling warming them. Hades kept seeing her green eyes gleaming in his mind, proposing an idea of friendship, or maybe even love. From that "date" came library dates, park and more coffee dates, all which taught both teenagers something about each other. Hades was wise beyond his years yet hangs painfully on his abandoned and homeless past. Persephone then realized while talking with Hades that he was humble and kind, not a boy who dared cause trouble. Just being close to Persephone and listening to her speak endlessly of plants and their attractive colors, he felt at peace and hopeful. Opposites had attracted in this unbalanced world. 

Persephone spent less and less time with her mom. Demeter grew troubled over these lovesick months and became distracted and worried. These feelings lead to her plants in the nursery being neglected and forgotten. She felt as if her soul was withering away with those plants, each leaf withering up, and sobbing endless, invisible tears. 

And then the inevitable happens. The most beautiful day happened to Persephone, the day when she said the words that she longed to say: "I love you" and shared her very first kiss. Persephone came home late that day, since they forgot about time talking again, looking at the stars.

Outraged, Demeter confronted her and forbade her to see Hades again. 

They had a terrible argument that night. They couldn't understand each other. 

Demeter ordered to go to her room and exhausted, fell asleep at the kitchen table.

The next morning, she heard a noise in the shop and headed toward it. She saw Persephone taking care of the neglected plants and flowers with love and care. In that moment she realized the truth. Her girl was a young woman. A brilliant one, dedicated and so much like herself. 

She knocked at the nursery's window to get her attention. Persephone saw her then ran outside in tears, holding the most beautiful orange flower between her hands. 

"Look, mom! It's finally blooming!" She showed her creation to her mother, grinning. They then hugged each other and whispered apologies. That night, they made a deal. When Persephone was out of college, she and Hades would come and help at the nursery. Until then, Demeter would spend time by herself, tending to the new Proserpina flowers.

While it was very saddening for her to see her girl following her own path, she knew it was life's seasons changing. For good.