Carlisle the Cactus

Months ago, in crisp autumn air, my mother bought me a delightful pink Gerbera Daisy which I lovingly named Luna. A few months later, after her bloom had died and her leaves had wilted, Luna died of over-watering.

As you can imagine, I was quite upset over this loss. This is when my father gave me a young cactus that had sprouted from an older one we had.

I did not want the cactus. I had a grudge against its parent plant which had stuck me on many occasions, once going so far as to get one of its leaves stuck in my foot like a push pin.

I grudgingly took the plant up to my room and put it in Luna's old spot under my desk lamp.

A few weeks past and the cactus and I had become fast friends. I named him Carlisle the Cactus after a friend's suggestion and from then on I was attached to the sinister looking plant.

Carlisle proved to be an excellent companion; he provided me with a silent friendship and had a calming air in my bright orange bedroom.

In return, I provided him with water once every week or two, dusted his leaves, and provided him with decorative rocks to cover up the dirt he was potted in.

He never once stuck me.

Lately, however, our friendship has become somewhat strained.

You see, in the summer months, my bedroom gets quite hot and humid. This is perfect weather for a cactus such as Carlisle, but not for a human such as myself.

To cure the heat, my father put an air conditioner in my bedroom window, right behind my desk. Carlisle had to be moved so he wouldn't be in the direct path of the 63-70 degree air and was placed on my dresser.

Since then, Carlisle has looked quite sickly. His once proud leaves have become droopy and some have fallen off. Whether this a result of the cold or a result of necessity I do not know. Either way, Carlisle is not the bright, happy cactus I once knew. He is currently sitting under a lamp with the A/C off until I go to bed.

Hopefully this slight animosity will end once the fall rolls in and Carlisle can take his rightful place under my desk lamp once more.