African Violet

A Continuing Presence in Later Life

Even decades later, the African Violet remains a touchstone in Maddie's memory. As a grandmother approaching fifty-seven, she reflects on her life and her relationships, including the arrangement she had with Ferdie, which she compares to her current situation with a younger man, a gardener. The plant, though no longer physically present in these memories, represents a pattern in her life: the desire for connection, the need for secrecy, and the importance of independence. The African Violet is not just an object; it is a symbol of the choices she has made and the person she has become. It is a reminder that even the smallest, most unassuming things can hold great meaning, and that the act of burying a ring in the dirt of a potted plant can be the beginning of a new life.