Green

“Walking on velvet green.
Walking on velvet green. Distant cows lowing.
Never a care: with your legs in the air, loving.
Walking on velvet green.” 'Velvet Green' by Jethro Tull


The harpsichord flute and electric guitar come tinnily from the car’s speakers. Viv laughs from the back seat.  It is not the first time she has heard this song, Jethro Tull is one of Shelly’s favorite bands.
“What is so funny” asks Scott with a mischievous look in his eye looking up in the rear view mirror. He is thinking that he will get the scoop on something Viv has been up to.
“I was thinking of something my father once told me about green stockings.” replies Viv with a chuckle.
Shelly who has become a great fan of the professors antidotes turns with an exited gleam in her eye. 
“Well my Dad once told me,” Viv starts then pulls herself up as tall as possible in the cramped back seat, into a straight shoulders back pose holding an invisible pipe in one hand and stroking a imaginary beard with the other. Dropping her voice to a male professorial tone she continues “A woman of loose morals would wear green stockings to hide the grass stains”.
Scott snorts and Shelly laughs. Viv’s imitations of her father and the things he says are always so stiffly british and crass at the same time. Scott pulls the can of soda from the console and lifts it too his mouth.
Viv leans back resuming her usual diminutive stance, but with a grin that says she is pleased with the response. With a glint she then looks thoughtfully out the window “I don’t think it would work to well, grass stains turn brown after a day or so.”
Scott prays the windshield with his mouthful of soda.
“I’m glad that is diet” I don’t like a sticky dash.” Shelly says as Viv hands her a pile of tissues from the box behind her.
Scott regains his composure never swerving as he continues to drive. “I suppose you are right Viv,  And one could not wear all green all the time or one would advertise your loose morals better than a scarlet letter.”
“And my father triumphs again having us think about literature!” Viv Lifts her head in laughter in the back seat.

The three of them laugh and giggle the remaining way to the mall. When they get out of the car in the parking Viv notices the first sign of Spring  as a small green plant has pushed its way through the grey slush of the small parking lot island.
“Spring is on its way!” Says Viv gesturing at the plant.
“It has been a long winter and After Spring comes summer!” Replies Shelly
Scott has gotten ahead of them.
“Come on ladies!” He shouts back at them
“Coming!” they reply.
“Ok where too first”
“Fabric store” says Viv “Got to buy some green Velvet.”
“Then to Victoria’s Secret to buy some Green stockings” Says shelly
The two women dissolve into peals of laughter as they enter the mall arm in arm with Scott chuckling and shaking his head right behind them.