Community Gardens (Community Garden Series Book 1)

by Karin Boutall

  This morning, after all of yesterday's excitement, she needed a boost of strong coffee. She headed to the kitchen, but Willie interrupted her. He stared at her through the back door and blinked. She bent down and stroked his fur until he purred. They had carried out this ritual since the day she moved into the house. Willie had mewed from the back steps. Unable to resist his penetrating green eyes and blue-gray fur, she had placed a bowl of milk on the steps. After that, he returned every morning until he finally earned a special spot inside the kitchen where he indulged on crunchy snacks.

  Joan poured water in the coffee maker and flipped the switch. Willie blinked his eyes. “You're such a good cat,” she cooed while scooping beef chunks into his metal bowl. “I'm lucky to have you, dependable fella. Not like that mayor.”

  Dismissing the memory of the mayor's letdown, she glanced at the coffee pot. It was still dripping. Unable to wait, she carefully exchanged the glass pot with her coffee mug.

  The first day went better than planned. The spring inventory sold. The lettuce baskets were gone and Zack had cut the ribbon like a master instead of the mayor.

  Why hadn't the mayor shown? Was it really forgetfulness? When her mug filled, she switched the pot back.

  She sighed and looked at Willie's green eyes. “What do you think buddy? Did Sara really forget? If so, why hasn't she returned my calls?” Willie licked his paw. “So are you telling me it's no big deal? Hmm, I don't agree. If she forgot our ribbon cutting ceremony, will she forget our box garden project too?”

  She recalled the day Sara listened to her talk about the benefits of the box garden project. While unrolling the blueprints, she explained how restoring and landscaping the weed infested area behind the library would raise property values. The boxes would be arranged between curved walking paths covered in pine mulch and stepping-stones. The paths would be made wide enough that box gardeners could easily use wheelbarrows and large tools, making maintenance less of a chore. The project had enough aesthetic appeal that it could function as a garden park for the city. It could also function as an environmental science lab for students.

  Sara had certainly listened closely when they discussed the landscaping costs. She also studied the pictures of successful community gardens from other cities. She seemed convinced the project would be a great replacement for the library's empty lot. She had promised to promote the project at the next city council meeting and at the grand opening of the Community Gardens.

  Joan grimaced. Did I misread Sara? Do I need her to get council approval? Sara had grown up in Sand Hill Cove. On the other hand, Joan was just a transplant from Michigan who had moved back to Sand Hill Cove two years ago.

  She crunched on a piece of toast. “I could propose it myself,” she thought as she washed down the toast with coffee. She wondered how the gardeners who signed up to rent a box garden would feel if she failed to launch the project. They were new customers referred by Ivy, president of the garden club. She had to figure out how to get the project approved or risk losing customers.

  A hoot coming from upstairs distracted her. She glanced at the clock. Seven a.m.

  “Off the Xbox Zack,” she shouted.

  Zack hooted again.

  “Time for school.”

  “Almost ready Mom.”

  Joan spread peanut butter across his toast while she waited for him to come downstairs. “I'll make a backup plan this afternoon, just in case Sara forgets again,” she thought.

  Zack jumped down the stairs and sprung into the kitchen. She checked his dress; backpack zipped, clean shirt and jeans. “He must have scored a victory,” she told herself.

  “Thanks for toast mom.”

  “You're welcome. I take it you won from the sound of it.” Joan teased.

  “You betcha. Getting faster too.”

  “You playing a lot?”

  Zack squirmed. “Some.”

  Joan smiled at her son. She didn't mean to make him feel guilty, but his constant Xbox playing concerned her. Since school had started, he had become more interested in Xbox, than getting to know kids his own age. Granted, he was helpful around the shop. Still, she questioned whether moving so soon after his father's death had been wise. Zack was like his father, flexible and adaptable. He absorbed information like a sponge and that hadn't changed since the move.

  “Well, I'm glad you're perfecting the game. How about I walk you to the bus stop? It's lovely outside.”

  “Sure.”

  As they headed across Town Park, Joan noticed the grass was spongy underfoot and the Magnolia blooms sweetened the morning air. April showers bring May flowers, her mother had always said. She was five years old when she heard that rhyme for the first time and that was when her love of plants began.

  Joan looked toward the bus stop where she heard children talking.

  “Is that Stephanie?” she nudged Zack.

  “Yeah, and Benny too.”

  Noticing Zack's frown, she patted his shoulder. “Good thing your bus ride doesn't take long.”

  Joan waved at the kids. As soon as Stephanie glanced up, she stopped talking to Benny and murmured hello. Benny stared at Zack, then turned away as if searching for the bus.

  She wondered what had made them stop talking when she waved. The weather hadn't changed. In fact, the morning was quite pleasant. Stephanie was usually shy, unlike her vivacious and outgoing mother, Principal Stone. Stephanie and Zack could both be shy at times. On the other hand, Benny was not shy. In fact, Zack had called him annoying.

  She turned toward her fidgeting son. “Do you have everything? Your phone?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Alright, call me if you need anything.”

  She watched them load the bus and decided that this morning's brush off meant nothing out of the ordinary. It was just kids waiting for a boring bus ride to school. She recalled getting bored with school, especially as summer vacation and the thrill of outdoor play approached.

  After the bus pulled away, she looked down Main Street. Cars were parked outside Holden's. He made the best coffee she'd ever tasted and strong too. It was so strong she thought she could smell it, even from four blocks away. Then she looked up the hill toward the vacant library parking lot. A few sparse blooms gave some life to the rosebushes clinging against the library. She had chosen the empty lot below the library to install the box gardens. The lot desperately needed landscaping and the box gardens would be the perfect fix for the rundown mess.

  Heading home, she looked at the park's empty gazebo and wanted to curl up and read a book, but she had work to do. Besides, the gazebo could be used at anytime for weddings, anniversaries or birthdays. On weekends, the Farmer's Market also used the gazebo for guest speakers. With her shop located just across the street from Town Park, she could not have found a more perfect location for her garden center. What could be better than a century old, two-story house with a large wrap porch, a city park across the street and an acre of garden in back. An acre she had recreated into a landscape of winding paths and blooming gardens.

  Joan smiled and decided she could make a backup proposal that city council would love with or without the mayor's attendance at the meeting. In fact, it was possible that she could create such an impressive proposal that the council would not be able to refuse the project. She quickened her pace across the park. This was her masterpiece and it was beginning to take shape.

  When she heard the land line phone ringing, she hopped up the porch steps.

  “Good morning. Community Gardens”

  “Joan, this is Principal Stone.”

  “Yes?”

  “I'd like to meet with you today about Zack.”

  “Really, is this urgent?”

  “I'd rather talk in person.”

  Reluctantly, Joan made the appointment then dialed Roz. She hated to call Roz into work early, but she needed the help, if only for a few hours.

  Chapter 3

  Joan tugged her thin sweater as she crossed the a
sphalt parking lot. The morning was unseasonably cool for April, but she wouldn't complain. It beat the sweltering heat that hit the Gulf Coast every summer; sometimes unbearable heat that wilted plants and kept people indoors.

  When she reached the school, she headed along the wide corridor toward Principal Stone's office. She remembered Della Stone as a small woman with a dimpled smile that wore floral print dresses. Near the office, she heard laughing. She glimpsed through the glass door and saw Cal Reardon, the athletic director for Sand Hill Cove Elementary. He was focused on Della and her beaming smile. She hesitated and wondered what could be so pleasant before a parent-teacher meeting. She remembered when she could smile at a handsome man, but quickly reminded herself that those days were over. Even so, that didn't mean they were over for everyone else. She drew a silent breath.

  Della glanced up then motioned for Joan to join the meeting. “Hello, come in and please have a seat with us.”

  The wooden chair looked bleak and felt cold when she sat down. Suspecting bad news, Joan hesitated for a moment.

  Della leaned against her microfiber chair. “I know you're busy, so I'd like to get straight to the issue at hand. I've had several reports from teachers about Zack. He's just not fitting in well with the other students.”

  “My son? There must be a mistake.”

  “I understand your concern, but first, let me give you his iPhone. He was playing games during class.” Della's smile didn't budge, but she lowered her voice. “Ms. Louen, he is very quiet and frankly hasn't socialized well this year.”

  “Zack?” It was difficult to believe her son wasn't socializing. She knew he could be quiet, but he was taught to be polite and listen. “I don't understand. I know he's quiet but that doesn't mean he's not sociable.”

  Joan glanced at Cal and wondered why he was invited to the meeting. Her son had no interest in sports, especially team sports. And Cal was supposed to be leaving the school at the end of year, according to Blaine.

  As if reading her mind he said. “I'm coaching a spring league baseball team and I'd like Zack to join. He's sharp and would be a boon for the team.”

  Afraid that Zack might get attached to a coach that was leaving, she said, “he's not big on team sports.”

  “Exactly, so this may help him feel like he's part of the school.”

  “Even before his father passed away, Zack wasn't much on sports. He loves dogs, cats and computers.”

  “So, let's give something new a try.”

  “How long does the season last?”

  “Batting practice starts today. Then it's two days a week for three weeks. After that, eight more weeks of Saturday games at Hanly Park.”

  “That's three blocks away. Same time every year?”

  “Every year in April, before summer league.”

  Joan paused. Should I ask him if he's retiring like everybody says and risk sounding like gossip? Since today was not a good day to be labeled a gossip, she decided not to ask. Instead she gave him another excuse. “But he likes helping in the store on Saturday, my busiest day.”

  “Could we schedule a work routine around the morning games?”

  “Well, it sounds promising,” she hesitated. “I'll work on the schedule and let you know.”

  Cal's grin widened as if he had won a prize. “That's great and I hope you'll help him get interested in baseball. It's a lot of fun.”

  She doubted Zack would get near a ball field. Even so, she stopped debating with Cal. It wasn't worth the effort to discuss baseball with a coach that could abandon his team. “Whatever Zack decides, I appreciate your help.”

  * * *

  After the meeting, Joan hurried back to the nursery. Mental exhaustion weighed on her like a heavy winter coat. She yearned for the stillness of the nursery. There, she could tune out problems and focus instead on creating blooming baskets and colorful bouquets. Just the act of mixing potting soil could sooth jangled nerves. When she opened the door, the new plant smell enveloped her as if she just sat in a spring-fed pool. She drew a long breath and marveled at the rows of plants in different stages of development. This room was a snapshot of her old biology degree put into action. The dream of running a garden center lay before her. She leaned in, turned on the water and cupped a hose.

  She misted a table full of pepper plants. These were special peppers, sprouted from the seeds of of locally grown peppers. She had become a seed saver, collecting and storing heirloom seeds whenever she could find them. Eventually, she hoped to have a collection of heirloom seeds for all the plants she grew.

  As she worked, memories of the morning's conference mingled with the mist. Did I overlook something in Zack? He's so tenderhearted and smart, just like his father. Joan recalled how attentive Zack's father had been, when he was home.

  She tried to recall a time that Zack had been unsociable, but couldn't. Zack had even befriended Benny for awhile. But after Benny threw a tantrum when he failed to beat Zack at Xbox, the friendship cooled. She wondered if she had failed Zack by returning to Sand Hill Cove.

  She moved back to Sand Hill Cove to recapture the memories of her life with Chris. They'd met at a jazz fest in Town Park. He'd come with friends from the Air Force base. She'd come with friends from the biology lab. As they began to talk, the festival noises faded until they only heard each other. Three months later they married and a year after that, Zack was born. Their life was active and happy. That all changed when the Air Force moved them to Colorado. Six months after the move, Chris was on a test flight when his plane crashed, killing him instantly. After his death, she was determined to return to Sand Hill Cove and live near her in-laws. Their compassion and comfort kept her alive. And they needed to be near Zack, their only grandchild.

  The only family she had was a brother who lived in Michigan with his wife and daughter. After Joan's parents died in a car accident, they rarely spoke. Even so, her brother had visited after Chris died. But they had become strangers, making it difficult to comfort each other. He rarely traveled and had no desire to venture beyond Michigan or his secure job with the utility company. She imagined he would stay with the company until retirement or illness forced him out of work. After they left, she knew it would be a long time before Zack would see his uncle again.

  And then there was Roz, her best friend who had convinced her to quit studying and go to the jazz fest the day she met Chris. Without her prodding, she would still be in the lab. There would be no Zack or happy memories of Chris. Roz treated Zack like her adopted son. Not only did Roz look after him, Wilson, her husband, loved his new fishing buddy. Even her daughters, Chloe and Lindsey, watched after him like a little brother. She recalled the excitement in his eyes, when he saw how the girls had decorated his room. Replicas of his favorite planes; biplanes, B-52, and F-16, hung from the ceiling. A game station, fully equipped with an Xbox, LEGO Star Wars and RockStar, sat on a desk near the window.

  Zack hadn't complained about school. He just loved to play Xbox or help her in the store. He ran errands for her especially if he got to sprint across the park or pass the French Bakery and look in the window at the small cakes.

  She determined that Zack was not an outcast. Instead, it was the other way around. He wasn't interested in sports. He was curious about how things work. She knew he would be standoffish until he found someone who shared the same interests.

  She decided to talk to him about the baseball team after dinner. To sweeten the discussion, she planned to make his favorite dessert, banana pudding. She knew it would take a dessert to get him in the mood to talk about baseball.

  With the decision made, she sprayed a final mist over the peppers and rewound the hose. It was time to call on Roz again. This time though, it wouldn't be to watch the shop.

  Joan tapped the speed dial button on her phone. When Roz answered she asked, “who makes the best banana pudding?”

  Roz laughed. “Okay, do tell, what are you up to now?”

  “Well after we talked...”

&nb
sp; “Oh, this has something to do with me?”

  “Well, no.” Joan collected her thoughts. “Here's the deal. I've decided to talk with Zack about baseball.”

  “So this has to do with Cal talking you into putting your son on a baseball team?”

  “No. I just thought it might be worth a try. Even though it's unlikely, what could it hurt to at least give it a chance?”

  “Bribery.”

  “No flexibility.”

  Roz chuckled. “Smart lady you are. Best banana pudding? The French Bakery. And while you're there, please check out the courtyard we need to fix up. I think we should use formal urns, rounded boxwood, yellow pansies and emerald moss.”

  “Thanks creative one, I'm on my way.”

  After her trip to the French Bakery, Joan set the table for dinner. Imagining Roz's courtyard design took her mind off the morning conference. It also gave her time to rehearse the discussion she would have with Zack after dinner.

  She heard the front door open, and headed toward the shop.

  “Hey mom, I got picked for the baseball team!” his face beamed red with excitement.

  “Really?”

  “Can you believe it? Dr. Reardon, made me assistant coach.”

  “No kidding?”

  “Yep. First practice starts now. Can I go?”

  “Of course. Dinner first?”

  “Can I eat on the way?”

  Joan watched her son's grin grow wider. “I wouldn't want you to miss your first practice.”

  He leaped up the stairs to change clothes. After she microwaved his chicken tenders, he bounded down the stairs barely giving her time to wrap his dinner. She handed him his sack as he jogged out the door.

  “Thanks Mom, love ya.”

  Joan watched her son jog across Town Park. She hadn't seen him this happy since they'd left Colorado.

  When he dropped from site, she headed back to the kitchen.

  “Well what is up with that?” she murmured into the bowl of banana pudding setting untouched on the kitchen table. “Who will I need to sweeten up first? Zack when coach leaves; or coach, to get him to stay with the team.”