Mending Magic by Frankie Abraham

Author:Frankie Abraham [Abraham, Frankie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-26T16:00:00+00:00

EIGHT

LIAM

The following Saturday, Seb decided to introduce me to another side of his life. He volunteered at the community garden once a month and invited me to come along.

The air was crisp as we approached the tail end of harvest season. I detected a light scent of blooming flowers as we passed the gate. Inside, a crowd of local residents milled around, performing various tasks.

The garden itself sprawled across a hilltop planted in neat rows. The vegetables and herbs grew lush and large. I spotted some of the season’s last tomatoes bright red on their vines.

Lettuce and spinach grew in abundance, and the orange tops of carrots poked out of the soil. In one corner, squash vines rambled in every direction, with pumpkins and other winter squash waiting for picking.

Seb waved at a couple busily picking zucchini. “That’s Celia and Evan,” he informed me as he approached them. “They are the coordinators of the garden.”

Celia had streaks of silver in her dark hair. She tied it back in a loose bun. Her wide-brimmed hat and dirt-caked gloves spoke volumes about her dedication to the garden.

As we approached, Evan, a short, lively man, wiped his brow with the back of his hand, leaving a tiny smear of soil behind.

“Seb!” called Celia as she stood. “This must be Liam. We’re so happy both of you could join us today.”

Evan joined us and offered his hand to shake. When I gripped him, I detected surprising strength.

“Welcome, Liam. The garden reflects our pride in Amberdale. At least, we hope that’s the case. We do our best to provide our less fortunate residents with fresh produce and bring all sorts of community members together for a productive project.”

I shook his hand, happy to hear the little elevator pitch about the purpose of the garden. “This is a beautiful space. I don’t have much experience with gardening.”

Evan chuckled softly. “Well, you’ve come to the right place to learn. I like to say gardening is good for the soul, and everyone can use a little work on that.”

Celia added her own comments. “We think this garden nourishes more than just physical needs. It’s a place for anyone to connect, learn, and enjoy peaceful time away from worldly concerns. It’s a very social endeavor, too. I love it here.”

The first project they suggested for Seb and me was harvesting carrots. We knelt side by side in the soft, rich soil and gave the plants a slow tug. It didn’t take a lot of work. The well-tended ground gave the roots up quickly.

Seb held up a particularly long carrot. “Doesn’t this look great? It makes me a little hungry.”

“I agree.” Suddenly, a long-forgotten memory rose in the back of my mind. I found my thoughts transported back to a different time and place.

While we tugged on more carrots, I told Seb a little story. “This reminds me of my grandpa. Grandma died in her 40s, and he lived the rest of his life alone. He had a little vegetable patch in his backyard.

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