Dirt into Gold

Hello, reader. Sorry this post is a little late. I was out tending my banana trees. Read below for my modern version of Magic Powder.

These flowers could be the key to making gold. Maybe.

"Dad!" Brandy stood up and hugged her dad.

"Hey, Brandy," he replied, hugging her back. They say down at the coffee table. Brandy with her coffee, and her dad with tea.

They chatted for awhile about inconsequential things, but eventually, he asked, "Brandy, what's wrong? You seem to sad."

Brandy sighed. "It's Frank. I've been taking on overtime lately to make a bit more money and he just spends it all on his experiments."

"Have you tried talking to him about this?"

"Yes, but he just tells me that he's so close to a breakthrough and once he gets there, we'll be set for life."

"Is he still trying to turn lead into gold?"

"No, now it's dirt into gold." Brandy shook her head. "I don't know where he gets these ideas from, and I never see him anymore. He cut his hours down to part time so he can spend more time in his lab, which means I really only see him when he comes out to eat."

"I'm sorry, honey. That sounds tough."

Brandy sighed. "I was wondering if, well, if you could talk to him? Maybe if it comes from someone else and you get him outside the house he'll listen better."

"I'll try."

"Thank you, Dad." Brandy smiled at him a little. "He's killing himself over this and I hate to see it."

"We'll figure it out," her dad promised.

Later that week, he texted Frank and they met up for coffee.

"How's it going? Brandy said you were working on a project?"

"Oh yes." Frank gave his father-in-law, Richard, a big smile. "I'm so close to it. Then neither of us will have to work."

"I was an alchemist in my younger days," Richard said. "Maybe I can give you some advice."

"That would be great!" Frank replied.

They talked specifics for awhile, and Richard agreed that Frank was really close, but he was missing something. "Leaves."

"Leaves?" Frank asked.

Richard nodded and pulled out a baggie of seeds. "You and Brandy need to plant these seeds and take care of them. Then, once they're blooming, you can take the leaves off and use them in your experiment. That should do it."

"Are you sure you want to give these to me?" Frank asked.

"Yes," Richard replied. "My days as an alchemist are done, but I think you can do it."

"Brandy does love to garden..."

"Excellent!" Richard handed over the seeds.

"We'll plant these today!" Frank replied. "Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome. Anything for my favorite son-in-law."

"I'm your only son-in-law," Frank replied with a smirk.

Frank took the seeds home and he and Brandy had a great time planting the seeds in just the right place. In fact, they had a great time most of the time they were weeding or watering the garden.

Eventually, the flowers began to grow. Frank got excited for them to bloom. Brandy got excited for them to bloom as well.

Finally, Frank was able to harvest the leaves. Richard came over that night while Frank was in his lab.

"Will this really work?" Brandy asked in an undertone.

"No idea," Richard replied.

Brandy smiled and shook her head. "At least I got to spend some quality time with him in the garden."

Frank screamed and ran out of his lab. Brandy reached for the fire extinguisher.

"I did it!" Frank yelled. "I turned dirt into gold!!"

"Really?" Brandy asked.

"Yes! Come see!" Frank pulled them both into his lab. There, on his work desk, was a lump of gold.

"Oh my," Brandy managed.

"And I have you to thank," Frank said, shaking Richard's hand. "Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome," Richard replied with a smile. "So glad it worked for you."

He and Brandy shared a look and looked back at the gold on Frank's work desk. He had done it.