by Amelia Star
I lighten up immediately and exclaim, “That sounds wonderful! I will fix more than pancakes for you if you’re going to help me with all that!”
Mark’s face softens with pleasure. “Pancakes and bacon?”
“You’ve got it.” I nod. “And fresh-squeezed orange juice.”
“Mmmm, good.” Mark appears to be as excited as I feel.
Then he pauses and looks back at the yard. “The ground is going to need some preparation, actually. How about if I send someone over to till the space so it will be ready for planting when I get here tomorrow?”
“I think I’m going to need to make more than pancakes and bacon to pay you back for all of that.” I eye Mark a moment. “I think I’m going to need to actually pay you for this.”
He gazes at me calmly. “No, it’s nothing, really. I want to do this for you, Serena. I’m looking forward to spending more time with you.”
I must be blushing. I’m definitely feeling pretty warm all over.
Fortunately, Daffodil–who had been sniffing at something in the grass–jumps up and dashes at Mark, crashing into him with so much force for a little thing, Mark takes a step back. “Well, yes, of course, I’m talking about you, girl!”
He picks her up and I drop the leash while he holds Daffodil over his head. His t-shirt strains against the flexing of his biceps as he lifts my girl high in the air, making me think how glad I’ll be to have the chance to spend more time with him. But how can I be sure he won’t be like Frank was–so nice at first, then blaming me for everything later?
“You’ll be a great helper in the garden!” Mark laughs, hugging Daffodil to his chest and raising one sexy eyebrow at me.
“I’m sure she will be quite the helper,” I say with not a little playfulness in my voice.
Mark sets Daffodil down. “We’ll have some fun,” he affirms, watching Daffodil take off running through the high grasses of the field straight to my backyard.
“At least she’s going in the right direction this time,” I observe, and we take off after her.
We spend a short time plotting out where the garden will go. Mark notes my address in his phone, and we exchange numbers.
“Well, as much as I hate to have to go, I really need to get across the river again now.” Mark holds his arms out.
I think he’s asking for a hug, and willingly step forward to embrace this man I met less than an hour ago. There’s nothing wrong with hugging a new friend.
We embrace in the sunshine, and I feel as if I could stay in this strong man’s arms forever. His muscles are firm everywhere, and I’ve never felt so ready to trust someone before. His calm and cool demeanor just reassures me in a way no one else ever has.
Then a cool breeze wafts across the field, reminding me. “Oh, your jacket!”
I step back, and Mark chuckles a bit. “That’s originally why I held out my arms. But the hug was even better than getting my jacket back.”
I stop myself from saying that more hugs from him tomorrow sound better than pancakes.
“Well, you looked like you could use a hug.” I look straight at him and consider. Could I actually risk opening my heart again? Could this be the man I would take that risk with?
We laugh as he gets the zipper to work so I can take off the jacket and return it to him.
Then I watch Mark walk through the long grass back across the field and into the trees.
He turns and waves, and Daffodil barks wildly, making circles around me.
“Don’t worry, he’ll be back,” I tell my puppy. And I sure hope Mark comes back for more than just breakfast and planting a garden. I hope he comes back forever.
THREE – MARK
We’ve had a busy morning planting in Serena’s yard. As I lean back on the rich earth and look at what we’ve accomplished, a sense of satisfaction fills me–the sight of neat rows of small tomato plants, lined up where the starters will soon work their miracle.
Then I look up at this woman who kneels over the earth, planting forget-me-nots around the vegetables. And my soul blooms huge as a peony with its innumerable layers of petals.
If I thought before that a nice, neat garden made me happy, this amazing woman makes me feel a joy I’ve never experienced before. Her beauty and energy are astounding, and I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone so close to perfection.
“Here, let me help you with that,” I say, trying to take the trowel from her. “You deserve a little break. You’ve worked really hard all morning.”
“As if you haven’t, Mr. Greenthumb?”
She refuses to relinquish the trowel, so I sit back and watch. “You know what forget-me-nots are for?” I ask.
“Mmmm-hmmm?” she answers, working carefully on the delicate blue blossoms.
“They’re for faithful love and memories. And so the giver won’t be forgotten.” With that, I pick up Daffodil to keep her away from digging what Serena’s just planted. “Isn’t that right, girl? You’ll remember who planted these flowers forever?” I hold her up in front of my face. “Who can resist a cute little puppy?” I coo, and then look over.
“Oops, busted.” I smile.
“You are so busted.” Serena laughs and pushes me back in the dirt so that Daffodil can lick me all over my face.
I’m laughing hard–I haven’t been attacked by a puppy like this since I was a kid.
When I sit up, Serena raises her eyebrows in delight. “You should see the two of you! What a sight you make!”
With that, she points the hose toward Daffodil and me and gives us a burst of spray to clean what must be quite a muddy mess off us.
Daffodil runs about as if she’s just been lit on fire rather than cleaned off with a spray of water, and I stand up and lunge for the hose, but Serena is too quick.
“Just try to catch me!” she shouts, running from me and turning to spray me every so often. I can’t believe how quick and nimble she is, but she’s getting just as wet as Daffodil and I am in the process.
When I finally catch up to her, I seize her in my arms.
“And what do you think you’re doing, big, strong, soaking wet man?” She looks up at me in the most seductive and inviting way.
“I’m going to kiss you, beautiful, sexy, soaking wet woman.” And I take her by the shoulders, pulling her close to me. Her lips are luscious as plump strawberries, but her mouth tastes sweet with just a hint of maple syrup. I kiss her slowly, enjoying the flavor.
She responds with restrained passion, keeping her hands on my shoulders and barely moving.
Neighbors might be watching. Yet we can’t seem to stop, even as we’re holding back from letting ourselves go completely.
We pull apart and gaze into each other’s eyes. The water is dripping from our clothes.
“You taste like maple syrup,” Serena says, the corners of her mouth turning up. Her skin has turned a deeper tint of brown, with a rosy glow to it that makes me want to kiss her all over.
But I laugh. “You too, my maple syrup angel!” I wrap my arms around her waist, pick her up, and spin her around. Daffodil runs around us in circles.
“You’re crazy!” Serena laughs, breathlessly.
I set her on the grass and hug her closer. Trailing a finger down her dripping wet sleeve, I lift her hand to my lips. “You’re the wild one who started the water fight.” Then I kiss her lush lips again, hoping she will invite me inside with her.
Instead, she looks down and pulls away from me, then calls Daffodil back to the patio. “Stay, girl. We’re going to need to get you cleaned up now.” When Serena looks back at me, she states in a resigned voice, “I guess you need to get changed before work.”
I’m disappointed, but I am not going to push her. “Yes, of course.” I head in the direction of my truck. Then I pause. “First, though. I don’t mean to pry, and you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but why isn’t a beautiful woman like you spoken for already?”
Daffodil is rolling around on the ground between
us, and Serena is playing with her in such a sweet and gentle way. Then she picks up the puppy and holds her in her arms. “Oh, it’s okay. I don’t mind telling you. I was married before. Back in Kansas City. But when we couldn’t have children, well, my till-death-do-you-part ex decided that I wasn’t up to par as a woman.”
“Sounds like a real jerk. Sounds like he needed some sense knocked into him.”
I reach out to take her hand. She keeps hold of Daffodil in one arm and shrugs.
“Whatever. It’s over and done now, and there isn’t any going back.” She sets Daffodil down, and the puppy heads toward the garden to explore.
Serena tries to change the subject. “Uh-oh, how am I going to keep her from tearing up all our work?”
“Don’t worry about that,” I say. “We’ve got all sorts of fencing and dog-proofing accessories at the garden center.” I step toward Serena and take her in my arms. “I hope someday you’ll understand–in my eyes, you are perfect the way you are.”
Serena blinks a few times, incredulously. Then she looks over my shoulder and shouts at Daffodil to come out of the garden.
Miraculously, the puppy runs to her immediately. “Would you look at that! She’s learning to come when called!” Serena turns to me. “It’s okay. I’m okay. Just give me some time.”
I smile and nod calmly, but I feel like I’m on the edge of some cliff, and Serena has the power to push me over or pull me back into her arms and safety.
“I’ll be back in the morning with the fencing and other accessories for keeping Daffodil out of the garden,” I say. Then I give Serena a restrained kiss goodbye and head out to cross the river.
FOUR – SERENA
“How did you meet this man?” my mother asks. Her voice on the phone sounds concerned. I went to see her at the assisted living facility this morning and made the mistake of dropping Mark’s name in conversation. Now she’s curious to know more about him.
It’s been about a week since I met Mark, but this is the first time I’m talking to her about him. I explain the unusual circumstances of my meeting him, and how he’s been coming over and working in my yard since then.
“Now I’ve told him enough about Rosewood Community Center that he’s excited about coming to help do some landscaping of the property there also.” Whenever I talk about Rosewood, my mother tries to talk me out of going there anymore.
“Well, he sounds like a brave man. You need a brave man in your life. Every woman does.” She has a dreamy tone in her voice.
“Oh, Mom. You know I can take care of myself,” I protest while looking out the window at the garden. It’s so nice seeing the flowers and vegetables coming up there instead of the barren-looking space the way it used to be.
Then my mother surprises me. “Sweetheart,” she sighs. “I know you can take care of yourself. You’ve proven that to me, especially over the last year, since you left that no-good Frank. You are brave and strong yourself. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a brave and strong man around to help you out sometimes. Two are stronger than one.”
I can hear the smile in her voice, and I soften. Then I think, for just a moment, that maybe I’ve been too tough, keeping a wall up between Mark and me, or letting my fear keep me from having a life with someone who could be the man of my dreams. He’s so patient, kind, and generous. He seems too good to be true. “I don’t know, Mom.”
“Well, my dear. Listen to your heart. Your heart always knows what’s best for you.”
Daffodil is sleeping in the sun beside the sliding glass door. I’m going to need to take her outside before heading over to Rosewood. I get off the phone with my mom, then get in gear to get to the center.
When I pull into the parking lot, Mark and Sean, the director of the afterschool program, are raking wood mulch evenly over the ground. The kids are helping by carrying the empty mulch bags to the dumpster.
I get out of the car as Mark comes over to me. There are tiny beads of sweat glistening on his dark brow, and his t-shirt is also moist. I can see the shape of his muscles under the damp fabric.
I think about my mom saying I need a brave, strong man. And I know I want one, so why have I been resisting? “Good afternoon.” I wave from across the lot.
“It’s about time you got here.” When he smiles at me, it’s got to be the sexiest smile I’ve ever seen on a man. It’s the perfect way to finish off his perfectly shaped body.
“Well, give me that rake, and let me take over.” I laugh and walk over to join everyone working together.
“If you insist, my dear, it’s all yours. I’ll get started with the zinnias. Well, munchkins, who wants to learn how to plant flowers?” Mark announces, and the kids congregate around him.
While Sean and I finish the raking, I look up every so often and notice how Mark’s got the kids all coordinating together to get the flowers planted along the front of the building.
“He’s really making a difference in the place.” Sean brings my attention back to the raking.
“Yes! You should see what he’s done at my place.” I describe all the changes Mark has made in my yard over the last week.
Sean nods. “When I asked for a volunteer to landscape the grounds around the center, I didn’t realize we’d find someone who would do everything. Now we just need to get some donations for playground equipment.”
“I’m sure you’re working on that.” I lean on the top of the rake and ask, “So how are Sarah and the kids doing?”
“The two youngest are at home, but you can ask her yourself how she’s doing.” Sean nods in the direction of the front door.
Sarah comes out of the center carrying her baby girl, Jean. She waves to me, so I set aside the rake to go chat with her. She tells me how things are developing with the yoga studios.
“I waited six months before going back to work, and I’m slowly transitioning to going in a few days a week again.”
Sarah updates me on the details of her amazing life – I really don’t know how she does everything she does. If I had children, well, if I could have children…. I’m eyeing Mark out of the corner of my eye while she talks. It’s so sweet to see him helping the kids plant the flowers. He hasn’t brought up anything about what I told him of my ex since we had that talk a week ago.
Sarah must have noticed my distraction. She smiles and lowers her voice, suggesting, “Go, help him out. I think he’s waiting for you.”
“You are so observant,” I reply, and give Jean a quick kiss on the forehead. She smells fresh and blossomy, like a gift from heaven.
“Okay, what can I do here?” I ask Mark, kneeling down in the dirt beside him.
“You know how to do this.” He smiles, and his dark eyes glimmer with joy. He is really in his element here, working with the kids, planting, making the world beautiful. He has so much to give to the world, to a family. But he seems so peaceful no matter what is going on around him.
“Okay,” I say. “I’ll take a tray of zinnias.” I hold out my hands and wait for the bright-colored flowers.
“Mark, am I supposed to press the earth down really hard around the base of the stem, or just soft enough to keep it from falling over?” Leslie asks, her pigtail-braids sticking out on both sides of her head so spritely and perky.
Mark gently helps Leslie figure out the perfect technique to put the starters in the soil.
She claps, delighted. “That’s so cool! I can’t wait to see it grow!”
“They’ll get almost as tall as you if you keep watering them,” Mark explains.
“No, they won’t,” Leslie says. “I’m going to be four feet tall pretty soon! I only have one inch to go!”
The other kids all join in, telling Mark how tall they are, and asking what flowers grow the tallest. Mark answers all their questions patiently, and even throws in a few silly answers to try to catch them – but he has absolutely no poker face and can’t fool them for a second. It’s so fun to see them together.
Soon Ted comes out in
his man-apron to let us know it’s time to go inside to clean up for yoga and meditation class. Mark and I stay to help with everything, including the meager meal that follows. Sean is still working on donations to improve the meals program. There is so much to be done at the center, but we’re slowly getting there.
As things wind down for the day, and the parents come to pick up their children, Mark and I stand together in the parking lot looking over the work that was finished that day.
“You’ve done a great job here,” I observe.
“Well, I wish I could have planted more. But Sean pointed out the concerns about vandalism in the area.” He shakes his head, with a sad expression on his face.
“Yes, we have to be realistic. This is East St. Louis after all,” I sigh.
“Well, I’m going to be headed home now, I guess. But I was wondering. Would you be interested in coming across the river for a movie and popcorn–at my place?” Mark looks so hopeful.
He reaches out and takes me by the hand. I feel so warm and happy when he does that. All my defenses are melting away–the wall I have tried to build around my heart feels like it’s crumbling down. “Well, there’s nothing wrong with a little popcorn and a movie,” I say. “I’ll follow you.”
We say goodbye to Ted, Sean, and Sarah, and head out to St. Louis as the sun goes down.
FIVE – MARK
When we get to my house, I show Serena around my butterfly garden before we go inside. I show her the milkweed growing where the caterpillars are feasting this time of year. We stand under the moonlight, and I tell her about the different kinds of flowers in the garden that will attract them once they turn into butterflies.
“This is incredible. It’s like a wonderland here,” I say.
“You want to know what’s incredible, Serena. You are. You are so beautiful in the moonlight, but you are beautiful everywhere–in the bright sunlight raking or planting zinnias or helping the children. You do it all. You have your job and help your mother, then you come take care of the kids. You are the most incredible woman I have ever met.”
