Chapter 6 #3
Several apple trees cast welcome shade across one corner of the property where benches invited residents to sit whenever memories became too heavy to carry alone.
I had always loved this place.
Today...
It somehow felt different.
More alive.
Charlie marched confidently down the center path.
"Pancake likes flowers."
Remedy glanced toward me.
"I apologize in advance."
"For what?"
"She narrates gardening."
Charlie looked over one shoulder.
"They're listening."
"I know they are."
"They like stories."
"I've heard."
She looked satisfied.
"Good."
She stopped beside one of the marigold beds.
"This one's yours."
I looked around.
"My flower?"
"Mhm."
She pointed toward another section.
"Daddy gets those."
"And you?"
"I get all of 'em."
Remedy laughed.
"Convenient."
"I have a very big job."
"I can see that."
Charlie carefully poured water around the base of one marigold before handing the can to me.
"Your turn."
I knelt beside her.
The rich scent of damp earth rose immediately as the water soaked into the soil.
Charlie watched intently.
"Not too much."
"I'll remember."
"'Cause flowers need drinks."
"They do."
"But they don't like swimming."
I smiled.
"That's good advice."
She nodded solemnly.
"I tell Daddy that every week."
"I've noticed."
Remedy shook his head.
"Apparently I'm under constant supervision."
Charlie smiled proudly.
"Yep."
We worked quietly for several minutes.
Charlie wandered from flower to flower, offering encouragement to each one individually.
"This one's growing."
"So's that one."
"You can do it."
I couldn't stop smiling.
Eventually, she wandered toward the vegetable beds where Steel had arrived with another group of children eager to help harvest cucumbers.
For the first time all morning...
Remedy and I found ourselves alone.
Well...
As alone as anyone could be with twenty people scattered around a garden.
He set down his watering can beside one of the benches.
"Can I ask you something?"
I looked over.
"You can."
"You don't have to answer."
There it was again.
Choice.
Always choice.
I found myself smiling.
"I've noticed you say that a lot."
His brow furrowed slightly.
"Do I?"
"You always give people a way out."
He looked thoughtfully across the garden.
"I guess..."
He shrugged.
"I know what it feels like when someone takes your choices away."
The simple statement settled gently between us.
He hadn't told me a story.
Hadn't explained.
Hadn't tried to compare pain.
Just...
Shared one quiet truth.
I nodded slowly.
"I know that feeling too."
Our eyes met.
For just a moment.
Neither of us asked the questions that naturally followed.
Neither asked what had happened.
Or when.
Or who.
Some wounds introduced themselves long before the details ever did.
Charlie came racing back toward us before either of us could say another word.
"Daddy!"
He turned immediately.
"What happened?"
She held up a tiny green tomato with complete excitement.
"I found the first one!"
He crouched beside her.
"You sure did."
She looked between us with an enormous smile.
"I think..."
She hugged the tomato carefully against her chest.
"...it's gonna be a good day."
I looked at Remedy.
He looked back at me.
For reasons neither of us could probably explain...
We both believed her.
And somehow...
That simple certainty felt like the beginning of something none of us had expected to find.
Charlie tucked the tiny green tomato carefully into the pocket of her little denim overalls.
Remedy raised an eyebrow.
"What're you doing?"
"It has to come home."
"I don't think it's ready yet."
She looked down at the tomato.
"It isn't?"
He shook his head with an apologetic smile.
"It needs a little more sunshine."
Charlie immediately turned toward me.
"My Sunshine?"
I laughed softly.
"I don't think I'm quite that powerful."
She frowned thoughtfully.
"You help people grow."
The words stopped me.
"I do?"
She nodded.
"Everybody's happier after they talk to you."
Remedy glanced toward me.
"I've noticed that too."
Heat crept into my cheeks.
"I think people do the work themselves."
"Maybe," Remedy said quietly.
"But they usually need someone beside them while they do it."
I looked away before he could see how deeply those words reached.
Because once...
Long ago...
I'd tried to be that person for four little children.
The morning slowly settled into its familiar rhythm.
Volunteers spread throughout the gardens pulling weeds and harvesting vegetables while several of the younger children chased butterflies through the rows of flowers.
Steel somehow convinced three of the boys that cucumbers grew faster if they sang to them.
Nathan looked skeptical.
Emily believed every word.
Charlie immediately began performing what she called a "garden concert."
Her audience appeared to consist primarily of tomatoes.
"I think she's helping," I said.
Remedy smiled.
"I'm almost afraid she is."
"You don't believe in singing vegetables?"
"I've learned not to underestimate my daughter."
We watched Charlie march proudly down another row.
"Grow big!"
She pointed dramatically at one tomato plant.
"You too."
I couldn't stop smiling.
"I wish I'd grown up like that."
The words escaped before I realized I'd spoken aloud.
Remedy remained quiet.
Not because he didn't hear me.
Because he was giving me the chance to decide whether I wanted to continue.