Angel’s Garden – Part 2

Annie slowly extended her left hand. She noticed that Angel was thoughtful to make sure she didn’t need to use her right hand. She was surprised by its softness, like the petal of a flower. “Hi, I’m Annie Chapman.” Letting go of Angel’s hand, she quickly stepped back.

Dan and Esme excused themselves and left the two women alone, staring at one another. Annie wasn’t quite sure how to broach the subject of helping in her garden. Did this woman even want to work in a stranger’s garden? Did she want a homeless woman in her garden? All these questions flitted through Annie’s mind in a matter of seconds. Before she could speak, Angel beat her to the punch.

“Esme tells me that you have a fabulous English garden. I bet having a broken arm has made things difficult. She mentioned you were looking for someone to help while your arm heals. Tell me what you are growing and the needs you have.”

Annie motioned for Angel to join her at the picnic table Dan and Esme had placed under a nice old tree for volunteers and workers to use on their breaks. The two sat facing one another.

Annie cleared her throat. “Well, to answer your question, I am looking for someone who can help with the basics for a while. The doctor wants me to wear this sling for seven weeks, and I also have physical therapy. Until he gives me the green light, that means no lifting, or hoeing, or power equipment. I can manage pulling weeds manually with my left hand, but most of the other stuff….” her voice trailed off.  Angel nodded her head as if to say, go on.

Annie continued, “As for what we have planted, I mean what I have planted, there is a ridiculous amount of ivy that needs pruning consistently, several fruit trees, and then typical flowers of an English manor garden – hollyhocks, delphiniums, peonies, climbing roses, hydrangeas, lavender….” Annie stopped talking. Angel nodded and motioned for her to continue.

“My husband, Vic, loved flowers so he planted an obscene amount. I have also taken up vegetable gardening since…” Annie’s voice faltered a moment, but she continued, “Since he passed nine months ago. I have never really planted very many vegetables, but I have pretty much given up meat and figured I needed to learn how. I only have a raised bed thus far.” Annie realized she was rambling and to her chagrin her eyes were filling up with water. Dammit! I will not cry; I will not cry she chanted internally.

Angel immediately sensed that Annie talking about her late husband’s death was still difficult. She understood so well how hard it was. She could also see that it was very important for Annie Chapman to stay in control of her emotions as she gazed across the picnic table watching her fight away tears. Angel knew this one would be a hard nut to crack.

“Well, Annie, I think I could be a big help to you. I know a good bit about pruning and weeding plants and flowers, but my specialty is growing vegetables. I could really use the extra cash so if you are interested, I am as well.” Angel stopped and waited for Annie to speak.

Her emotions finally tamped down, Annie shook her head, looked Angel in the eyes, and extended her left hand for a second time. “I am interested. When can you start?”

For the first time Angel smiled. Wow, she is beautiful, thought Annie. Why she had ever thought she was an older woman, she couldn’t remember now. Her face almost glowed from some inner light within.

Angel asked, “How about I pop round now and see the lay of the land, so to speak. Would that work?” Annie found herself smiling in return and saying, “That would be lovely.”

The two spent the next couple of hours in Annie’s garden oasis. It was wonderful to spend time with someone who seemed to feel the souls of plants growing again. Annie missed Vic every second, but no more than when she was in this space.

Angel took her time walking through the paths that Vic had so lovingly made by placing granite stones that meandered throughout. As she walked, she would stop and smell a flower or gently stroke a leaf. Annie could hear her whispering but could not discern what she was saying. After she had surveyed the whole garden, she turned and looked at Annie.

“This is an incredible garden you have created. A real Garden of Eden, no pun intended. You can feel love and peace wrap you in a blanket of comfort that nature provides if we notice. There is no need for pretense here, is there? I love the varieties of plants versus flowers. Just as with people, you need many varieties to make things work. It reminds me of walking through small villages in the Cotswold. That was the vibe you were going for, correct?” Angel smiled and looked back over the landscape.

Annie, surprised by her assessment answered, “Why, yes, it is. Not many people ever make the connection. Have you been there?”

Not looking at Annie she responded, “I’ve been to lots of places. Why don’t you show me this vegetable garden.”

Annie ignored her vague answer and motioned for her to round the corner of the house. In comparison, her vegetable garden looked bleak, but she was determined to grow her own food. Opening her arms wide, she presented her raised bed garden.

A slight frown crossed Angel’s face. “Hmm, okay, yes, you definitely can use some help here.” Annie tried not to be discouraged or angry with her abrupt assessment. Angel bent over each grouping, pulled a few weeds, all the while mumbling to herself. Annie was beginning to think she had forgotten she was standing nearby. After a few more tut tuts, Angel finally came and stood next to Annie.

“Is this your first go at growing vegetables?”

“Well, in a raised bed, yes. We have grown herbs and tomatoes in pots on the patio with some success…”

“Hmm, well good effort for a first time, but we have our work cut out. For starters, where are your flowers? You need pollinators to help plants produce their fruit. Also, you need to remember to remove the succors on the tomato plants. Then, your cucumber is going to overtake your beans – they need their own space to spread. But the real issue is your soil.” Angel was still intently studying the bed in front of her.

“My soil? What’s wrong with my soil?” Annie asked. If she was honest, she was getting a little defensive. She wasn’t a total novice at gardening after all.

“It’s way too dry.”

“Dry? I water it every day.” Annie snapped a little too frostily.

If Angel picked up on the change in Annie’s tone, she ignored it. “Not that kind of dry, dry as in not rich enough. You need good, smelly, moist manure mixed in. Rich soil is like life. It contains healthy organic matter that spreads its nutrients into the seed that will grow. If your soil is not healthy, then your plants will never grow to their full potential. That’s why fresh manure is such a gift. Do you save your vegetable peels for composting? You may want to think about starting an organic composting bin. Also, any neighbors with chickens?”

Annie’s head was beginning to spin with information overload, but she shook her head and said, “Not that I know of. I have not met any of my neighbors.” She and Vic had never really seen the point. They spent all their free time in the garden. With the two of them and Scout, they had not really needed any friends.

“Well, that’s a shame. Neighbors start as strangers but end up as friends. I’ll check around and see if there is someone nearby. If not, we’ll need to make a trip out to the country. I know plenty of farmers who would love for someone to take some of their crap away.” At that, Angel turned toward Annie, clearly calling their time together to a close.

“Thanks for showing me around. I will be here at 6:30 in the morning. We will need to get some flowers planted amongst things, string up those beans and prune a bit of the cucumber for starters. I’ll work on getting some local manure. Oh, I can only work until 11:30. Sound okay with you?” Angel waited for Annie to speak.

Six-thirty in the morning? Annie didn’t even think about getting out of bed until 8. The store did not open until 10 a.m. so she always had a more leisurely start to her day. Besides that, who was paying whom? Realizing Angel was still waiting for a response, she said, “Well, I do not normally get up that early, but sure. Do you drink coffee? If I am going to get up at the crack of dawn, there must be coffee.”

“Coffee sounds great! I like mine strong and black. Well, I’ll let myself out, thanks again.” Angel turned toward the garden gate and threw up her hand in farewell.

“Wait!” Annie called out. “Don’t you need a lift back to The Garden of Eden for your car?”

“No need, I don’t own one. I use a bike instead, which is better for the environment. I will enjoy the quick walk back to the store, plus it will give me a chance to scope out your neighbors. Thanks, though.” The gate snapped close and just like that she was gone.

Annie stood looking at the raised vegetable bed for a full minute before shaking her head and going back inside. What an odd duck Angel was. She sure didn’t hesitate to speak her mind, but there was something about her that was warm at the same time. Comfortable is the word Annie would use if asked. Scout was patiently waiting by his bowl for his evening kibbles. Patting his head as she filled his bowl she said, “It’s an early night for the two of us. I’m going to need your help getting up at the crack of dawn tomorrow.”

***

Vic was laughing at her as she dug in the dirt. “What are you doing?” He called out to her. She was on her knees next to the raised bed. Glancing over her shoulder, she smiled and said, “I’m making room for pollinators, silly. Don’t you know that veggies love flowers living amongst them? EVERYONE knows that!” Suddenly, he turned the garden hose on her, spraying her with water. She could hear his laughter ring out.

She awoke sputtering, laughing, and kicking the covers off. The minute she opened her eyes, she saw two large brown eyes peering down at her. Scout leaned down and licked her cheek one more time. Sitting up, no one was there but her and Scout. It was only a dream. She felt like she had just been punched in the gut.

For one glorious moment, Vic was with her again. She angrily threw the covers back and stared at Scout. “Who are you looking at?” She stormed into her bathroom and slammed the door. As she was washing Scout’s wake up call off her face, she heard a noise outside. Peering out the small bathroom window, she saw Angel in her backyard with a wheelbarrow.

Who did she think she was? Couldn’t she ring the doorbell? What time is it anyway? Throwing the bathroom door open, she grabbed her cell off the nightstand. It was only 6 a.m.! Slamming it down she flew downstairs into the kitchen. This is not going to work, Annie thought. What the hell was I thinking anyway, letting a stranger into my life, and a homeless one at that!

Snatching the porch door open, Annie ran down the stairs and came to a stop at the end of the walk. Angel was humming to herself as she mixed the most pungent soil Annie had ever smelt.

Sensing Annie’s presence, she paused and called out, “Good morning! I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in, but I was so excited to tell you that your neighbor at the end of the street has a few free-range chickens and she graciously let me take some of their poo off her hands. You are going to grow the biggest tomatoes! Come see!” Angel looked so happy; a wave of intense jealousy washed over Annie.

Looking down at herself, she had completely forgotten she was still in her pajamas, barefoot, tangled hair, and on top of that, her arm hurt. She looked back at Angel’s smiling face and burst into tears.