One day, Amelia and George had a very serious State of the Finances discussion about how they needed to save money and they had to stop ordering things online. Both of them had been buying things willynilly. Amelia was getting baby items, and George kept picking up something or other that he needed. I was just so easy–a click of a button, and someone brought it to their door.
“We need to tighten our belt, Amelia,” George said seriously. “There is no other choice.”
“I hate that,,” Amelia sighed. “But I do agree. With a pollywog coming, things have to change.”
And then the doorbell rang. It was an Amazon delivery lady, and she handed over a very large box. Amelia looked at George. George looked at Amelia.
“Amelia, what did you order?” George asked, aghast.
“Nothing!” Amelia said. “I thought it was you!”
They cut the tape and opened the box to discover a beautiful set of gardening tools. They were wonderful, high quality, and just what they needed. A little note fluttered to the table, and Amelia picked it up.
“George, it’s a gift from my dear friend, Carol!” Amelia said. “Oh, isn’t Carol the best?”
“That was really kind of her,” George said. “Really kind. I think our vegetables will grow bigger just out of sheer appreciation for the quality tools.”
They both loved the tools. They enjoyed gardening a great deal, and they often spent hours out in their garden, tending to their growing produce.
Amelia gave George a nudge with her arm. “And you thought I was spending money again…” she said.
“Sorry,” George said. Then he blushed. “Oh, I should tell you that we have one more package coming from Amazon. I ordered something the other day.”
They looked at each other solemnly. It wasn’t going to be easy to tighten their belts now that they were used to shopping.
“All right,” Amelia said. “We are on a budget starting… NOW.”
“Agreed,” George said. “Starting now.”
Amelia was waiting for Patricia Johns to send her her latest manuscript, but it wasn’t due for a few more days, so Amelia had time to garden.
She was just delighted to get her fingers into the dirt, pull weeds, and pluck some red, ripe strawberries to bring home for a fruit salad supper.
“Amelia Frog, is that you?” someone said.
Amelia looked up. It was Toad. She and Toad had dated ages and ages ago, and he seemed to have nursed a crush on her ever since.
“Hello, Toad,” she said.
“I ran into your husband the other day,” Toad said slyly. “He was in a bit of a mood. Did he mention it to you?”
“Oh yes,” she said. “He said he saw you. What do you mean, he was in a mood?”
She wasn’t sure she liked someone describing George that way.
“He didn’t seem happy to see me at all,” Toad said. “It hurt my feelings. You are such old, dear friends.”
That didn’t surprise her. George didn’t like Toad, and she wasn’t sure what to say to that.
“I brought you some donuts,” Toad went on. “You always did like Krispy Kreme donuts, didn’t you?”
Toad sidled closer and gave her a smile.
Amelia’s stomach rumbled. She was always hungry these days, but there was something in Toad’s eye that Amelia didn’t quite like. He was flirting! And she was a married frog!
“No, thank you, Toad,” Amelia said. “I don’t like donuts anymore.”
“Maybe I could sit down here and we could–” Toad began.
“No, thank you, Toad,” Amelia said. “I’m very busy.”
“But in your condition, certainly you could use a hand,” Toad pressed. “Let me be your muscle, so to speak.”
“Toad, in my condition I have a very short temper,” Amelia said. “It is not appropriate for you to come by and visit me with my husband away, and I will not stand for it. I do not want your donuts. I do not want your company. I want to garden alone in peace.”
Toad looked wounded. “I don’t know what you think I’m doing…”
“Oh, Toad, you and I both know what you’re doing,” Amelia said, rolling her eyes. “I’m hot, I’m tired, and I’m in no mood. I will be telling George about this. And if you don’t take yourself off right now, I will kick you in the backside!”
Toad muttered something about a Very Violent Frog Couple, and he took several very big steps backward before he turned around and stalked to his car. Amelia ALMOST felt bad. Almost. But she knew Toad and his antics rather well, and she was mostly just annoyed.
“You told Toad you’d kick him in the backside?” George asked.
“I did. I was just tired out, and I was in no mood. He was flirting, you know. And that is just insulting. I’m married! What kind of frog does he think I am?”
This was one of things that George loved about Amelia–her loyalty. She would never be disloyal to George because she loved him too much… but honestly, it was more than loving him. She would never be disloyal to him because she had too much personal honour. She would not stoop to such behaviour, or she would never be able to face herself. George loved her strength of character. It was her most beautiful attribute.
“He underestimated you,” George said. “But I don’t. You’re a wonderful wife. You’re loyal and loving, and I’m the luckiest frog in the world. I almost feel sorry for Toad. He doesn’t have a wife like you.”
“You feel sorry for him?” Amelia asked.
“I said ALMOST,” George said with a little smile. “He needs to take his donuts and his flirting to a single frog.”
“Do you think we should set him up with someone?” Amelia asked.
“Who?” George asked.
They both thought for a moment or two, but all of the single amphibians they knew would be rather annoyed if they tried to foist Toad off onto them.
“That sounds like a Toad problem, not ours,” George said wisely. “He’ll sort himself out. He always does.”
I hope you are enjoying these little froggy tales. I do enjoy writing them! A big thank you to Carol to who send in the generous gift of gardening tools. I was just tickled!
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❤
Patricia Johns 
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