Community Gardens (Community Garden Series Book 1) (5 page)

“I
say we need more practice and help each other.” Zack smiled
when he looked at her.

“Good,
you'll only succeed if you act as a team, so do you fellas have a
plan?”

The
boys shook their heads up and down in unison. “All right then,
back to work both of you.”

As
the boys left the field, Joan noticed Sara walking toward them
without Della. “I hope Della left before the fight,” she
thought. Her heart sank at the possibility of another parent
conference with the principal because of the fiasco. Now, with the
situation under control, she hoped Sara wasn't coming over to ask
questions or stir up problems that no longer existed.

Sara
smiled at Joan. “Hello, good to see you and Cal too.”

“Hello.”
Joan offered a weak handshake.

“I
wanted to talk to you about Wednesday's council meeting. You and Roz
will be there right?

“Absolutely.”

“And
you still have that exciting presentation?”

“We
do,” Joan shifted her feet.

“Wonderful,
I'm looking forward to your plans being approved. The library staff
will love your improvements.”

“We
certainly hope so.” Before Joan could ask her anything else,
Sara turned to Cal.

“Cal,
I'm glad I caught you. Della and I need to see you after the game.
They've changed the awards ceremony. It's going to be sooner than
expected. Does that work for you?”

“They've
changed? When do they need my advice?”

“This
afternoon.”

“Aye,
sounds like this afternoon will have to work.” Cal turned to
Joan, his jaw slumped with concern. “So sorry, may I get a rain
check?”

Joan
felt the sweat tingle on the back of her neck. “Of course.”

“Then
it's settled.”

As
Sara and Cal left the ballpark, she could hear Sara thanking Cal as
if he had relieved an enormous problem. After watching Cal handle the
boys today, she knew he was a skilled problem solver. But what could
be so important that an awards banquet needed immediate attention on
a Saturday afternoon? Perhaps Blaine had been right about Sara. She
was so busy that without constant reminding she wouldn't remember all
the events on her calendar. Perhaps that's why Della came with her to
the baseball game.

Joan
sighed, sat down and looked for Zack on the field. He was helping
Benny hold his bat straight. Pride warmed her cheeks. His heart was
just like his dad's; kind. She could hardly wait to get home and talk
to Roz about the afternoon. She needed some answers.

* * *

“Can
you believe she actually remembered our project?”

“It
is possible.”

“But
why Della Stone? She was completely out of place at the game.”

“Why
not? Mayor, school principal, hmm,” Roz tapped her slightly
graying hair. “They may have a lot to discuss; kids, funding,
projects, scholarships.”

“But
a Saturday afternoon meeting?” Joan spritzed a tray of
variegated coleus.

“Well,
it happens. Might you be thinking instead that shaved ice and a walk
home was more important than a meeting?” Roz steadied her eyes
on the sunny yellow marigolds she was clipping.

Joan
stopped spritzing. “Anything is possible I suppose, but...”

“But?”
Roz looked up from the marigolds.

“I
think I'm just overly concerned about Zack. I'm glad I didn't mention
the shaved ice to him. He would have been so disappointed. You know,
the only thing good about losing the game, is that Zack won't be as
disappointed if Cal gives up coaching. I mean I am so proud of the
way he handled himself. You should have seen him.”

“Yes,
he is becoming a fine young man. That said, these marigolds are ready
to put out now. Which table shall I set them on?”

“Third
on the left, next to the daisies.”

Joan
returned to spritzing her collection of new plants while Roz headed
to the showroom with a tray of well-trimmed flowers in hand.

That
evening Joan fell into the soft pillows on her bed. Her arms and feet
ached. The day had been productive, selling most of the petunia pots.
She heard the wind kick up. “Can't be hurricane season yet,”
she thought. But after she fell into a deep sleep, the rain began to
pour.

A late night storm left
the grounds soaked. Puddles glared up at Joan as she walked the
garden checking for broken stems and fallen branches. Even the rain
garden remained full, as the water attempted to perk through the
rocks. Fortunately, the garden only suffered a few broken limbs and
fallen leaves. The broken rosebush could be replaced, but not the
crushed azalea blooms.

After
thoroughly inspecting the grounds for damage and flooding, Joan
headed back to the store satisfied she had done all she could. She
desperately wanted to get out of her soggy jacket and mud spattered
boots. She glanced at the porch, saw Roz sitting on a dry bench and
quickened her pace. If Roz was able to get to work on time that meant
the storm hadn't caused as much damage as she feared. And if that
were true, then city council could still meet this evening and
approve the box garden project before the summer heat forced delays
until fall. The library grounds desperately needed new landscaping to
remove the overgrown brier vines and clumpy weeds.

She
climbed the porch, sat next to Roz then tugged at her rubber boots.
“I wasn't even expecting rain, let alone a storm. Did you know
this was coming?”

“Nada,”
Roz said while staring at the sky as if searching for a break in the
clouds. “This sky looks like someone took a watercolor brush
and painted it shades of grey. Even the weatherman missed it. He
predicted light rain.”

“We'll
survive. I lost a rosebush and some blooms. But all of Potters' vases
are okay. We need to tip the vases to get rid of the water though.
And I stood a couple of potted trees back up. That's the worst
damage. Even Willie survived. He came for his morning snack as
usual.” Joan removed her jacket and hung it next to her boots
to dry. “I think we are in for a slow day.”

“Me
too. Let's go get coffee. You look like you could use more. I
certainly want more tea.” Roz waved her empty mug and turned it
upside down. “Besides, the girls have been patiently waiting to
show you their new project.”

“Another
one?”

“Yes,
and this time, they made it for the box gardens. We can use it
tonight at the council meeting.”

“I
can't wait to see.” As they stepped from the porch, Joan paused
when she heard the sound of Buzz Egan's truck driving across the
gravel parking lot. The distinct rattle of his old Ford announced his
arrival. Joan waited for him while he parked and walked across the
soggy grass.

“How
did you manage the storm Ms. Joan? You need help cleaning?”

“Thanks
Buzz, appreciate the offer but I just finished inspection. We didn't
get much damage. How are your bees?”

Buzz
lifted his work cap and scratched his forehead. “Hardy buggers.
They're still humming this morning.”

“That's
a relief. Want coffee?”

“Certainly.”

Buzz
and Joan headed for the kitchen. She closed the door behind them and
made a mental note to call Potters to let them know their urns were
fine. She pushed a thick clump of loose curls behind her ears and
considered who else she needed to call. Unable to think of anyone,
she joined the others in the kitchen where Lindsey was pouring orange
juice and Chloe was buttering toast. “You girls have been
working already this morning, I see.”

“Yes
ma’am and coffee's ready too.”

“You're
darlings.”

While
sipping on juice, she spotted Zack at the back door scratching
Willie's ears. She sighed. Breakfast would have to wait a few more
minutes. She set the juice down and walked past the toast and rolls.
“Has he been inside all morning?” she asked.

Zack
looked away from his furry friend. “He hates wet. Can he stay
in today?”

“He's
an outdoor cat.”

“But
it's so wet.”

Joan
looked into Zack's pleading eyes, hoping he would give up his request
to bring Willie indoors. But Willie was stronger than either of them
when it came to emotional tugs of war. Willie arched his back, rubbed
against Zack's leg and purred. Joan knew she already lost this fight.
Besides, Zack loved animals.

“Alright,
just today. Now do you want any toast or juice? The girls made it.”

“Nah,
I want to stay with Willie, he was pretty scared last night.”

Joan
wondered if he sneaked the cat in the house at the first sound of
thunder so it could sleep indoors, warm and dry. Zack was either
tenderhearted or responsible. Either way, she let him stay with
Willie. Breakfast could wait.

“Alright,
but if you get hungry come get some toast”

“Thanks.
And can I stay home today to take care of Willie?”

“Take
care of Willie? He looks fine.” Joan arched her slim brow,
surprised she'd overlooked that there could be more to this story
than a wet cat. “What's up Zack?”

“I
hate baseball.”

“Bad
practice yesterday?”

“Yeah.”

“Want
to talk?”

“No.”

“Okay,
I understand.” Joan knew she would have to help her son figure
out his feelings. “Is this what happened? You lost a game.
Practice is making things worse and you no longer want to play,
right?”

“Yep.”

“I
see. But you still need to go to school.”

Zack
moaned.

“This
is why. Before you quit, talk to coach Reardon. Okay?”

“But
what if he doesn't let me quit?”

“He
won't. He can't. Let's just give him a chance before you leave.”
He shrugged and continued to pet Willie. She patted his shoulder.
“Will you be okay?”

“Yeah.”

Even
though he said yes, she knew that he still wasn't convinced, but
talking about it further wouldn't help so she headed back to the
kitchen.

At
the breakfast table, Roz was biting into toast. Buzz was sipping
black coffee. Joan filled her mug with coffee then quizzed the girls.
“I hear you girls started another project?”

“We
did. You got to see this.” Lindsey jumped from the table,
grabbed a calendar from the buffet, and held it up for display.
Azalea blooms covered the front jacket. “Look inside,”
she flipped to the January calendar. The days were marked with lunar
cycles, holidays, and seasonal projects.

“We
even included pruning schedules for the most common shrubs.”
Chloe squawked.

“Let
me look at this,” Joan said as she flipped through the months.
“This is special. Anyone who loves gardening will love this.
You've done well.”

“Let
me take a look at this one-of-a kind calendar,” Buzz said. “Is
it something I could use for my bees?”

“You
could Buzz.” Lindsey quipped. “We made it for everybody
who loves flowers and for Joan's box gardeners.”

“This
is perfect.” Joan patted Lindsey's hand. “You are
thoughtful my dear. But remember, the project still needs to be
approved. We hope it does tonight.” Joan rubbed her fingers
across the glossy calendar. “But even if we don't get approved,
we're still going to sell these calendars at the front registers.”

Lindsey's
blue eyes lit up like morning sky. “Awesome.”

“And,”
Buzz added, “I'm gonna take a calendar to Blaine. He might
publish them.”

“Thank
you Buzz.” Lindsey jumped out of her seat and threw her arms
around his neck.

* * *

That
evening, Roz and Joan packed the car and rechecked their to-do list
twice. Satisfied they had finished the project, they hugged the girls
goodbye.

Joan
reached for Zack, “Do not wait up, got that?”

“I
do.”

“Good,
I'll tell you about it in the morning first thing. I promise.”

“Okay
Mom.”

Joan
watched Zack, Chloe, and Lindsey limp back to the house while Roz
waited for her in the car. She wondered how Roz could be so patient
when they were leaving the children with a sitter even if it was just
for a few hours. Perhaps having a second child made her more of an
expert at raising children. She was certainly more relaxed. Joan
brushed the thought aside. Another child was not an option for her.

“It
turned into a nice night, cool and clear skies,” Roz pointed
out.

“Indeed.
This is what we have waited for.”

The
drive to the library had taken less time than packing the car with
the projector, laptop and handouts. When they reached the library,
George Peterman, the skinny Alderman from ward ten, greeted them with
an agenda. “You ladies are early this evening.”

“We
have a lot of set-up tonight.” Roz said while scanning the
agenda.

“Set-up?”
George began fumbling at his pockets as if searching for an exploded
ink pen.

“Yes,
for the box garden presentation.” Joan said.

“I
don't recall...”

Roz
groaned at the agenda. “You're shitting me?”

Joan's
mouth gaped open until she collected her thoughts. “Excuse me?”

“We're
not listed. I can't believe it. How did this happen?” Roz's
eyes gleamed like wet pools on a moonlit night.

The
color drained from George's face.

As
if to steady the situation, Joan swiped the agenda from Roz's shaking
hands. “We're not even mentioned.”

Joan
flipped the agenda over several times hoping to find their
presentation listed. “Sara just told me two days ago she was
looking forward to this meeting.”

George
took two steps back. “I am so sorry. I don't know what
happened.” Color began to creep across George's cheeks. “This
is what I can do. Tonight, at the end, I'll give you some time.
Enough to at least mention your project.”

Flustered,
Joan hesitated for a moment. “I appreciate that George, but we
have several customers that are looking forward to renting space as
soon as this project gets approved. We need your review quickly.”