The Facts of Life

"The Facts of Life" by P. Schuyler Miller is a science fiction story that explores the strange connection between people and plants. It's about James Abercrombie who goes to see Professor Melchizedek Hobbs, his old teacher. The professor is super into growing Zulu roses, and these aren't your regular roses; they act almost like animals. James learns that these plants are deeply connected to the professor, acting like they're in a relationship with him. But things take a sad turn when the Zulu rose disappears from the Western Hemisphere causing loss and loneliness. The story is weird and fun, looking at how humans connect with nature and what happens when things aren't normal.