Echos of the past

Chapter 37

The sun was still low in the sky when Isla and Teddy arrived at her small garden. The morning air was cool and refreshing, a welcome respite before the heat of the day set in. Isla hummed happily as she pulled on her gardening gloves and grabbed a trowel, ready to get to work. Teddy, less enthusiastic but willing to help, followed suit, though his movements were slower and less eager.

“Isla, remind me again why we couldn’t do this later in the day?” Teddy asked, rubbing his eyes and suppressing a yawn.

“Because,” Isla replied, her voice bright and chipper, “the plants need attention early in the morning, before it gets too hot. Besides, it’s the best time to harvest. You’ll see, it’s going to be great!”

Teddy glanced around the garden, taking in the neat rows of vegetables and the colorful array of flowers. It was clear that Isla had put a lot of love and effort into this space. He couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm, even if he didn’t quite share it.

They started with the weeding, a necessary but tedious task. Isla worked methodically, her hands moving with practiced ease as she pulled out unwanted plants and tossed them into a bucket. Teddy, less skilled, followed her lead, though he found the process far less enjoyable.

“So, how can you enjoy this so much?” Teddy asked, wiping sweat from his brow. “It’s hot, dirty, and kind of boring.”

Isla looked up from her work, her eyes sparkling. “Because it’s rewarding. I get to see the fruits of my labor, quite literally. There’s something incredibly satisfying about growing your own food and taking care of your own little piece of the earth.”

Teddy nodded, though he still didn’t fully understand. “I guess I can see that. But wouldn’t you rather be doing something more relaxing? Like going to a movie, maybe?”

Isla laughed softly. “Oh, Teddy. I love movies, but I’ve got too much to do here. Maybe after the garden is taken care of, we can go see one. But right now, these plants need me.”

Teddy sighed, his eyes scanning the garden. “I suppose. But it’s so hot. Don’t you ever just want to relax in the AC?”

“Of course I do,” Isla replied. “But this is important to me. It’s a labor of love. Besides, it’s not all work. Look,” she pointed to a row of leafy green plants, “we’ve got some veggies ready to harvest.”

Teddy followed her gaze, his interest piqued. “Okay, now that’s something I can get behind. What do we have?”

Isla’s smile widened. “Let’s see. We’ve got some carrots, radishes, and a few ripe tomatoes. Come on, I’ll show you how to pick them.”

They moved to the row of carrot plants, their green tops poking out of the soil. Isla demonstrated how to gently pull them from the ground, revealing bright orange carrots beneath. Teddy mimicked her movements, his face lighting up with a mix of surprise and pride as he held up his first carrot.

“Hey, I did it!” he exclaimed, grinning.

“See? It’s not so bad,” Isla said, her eyes twinkling. “Now let’s get the rest.”

They worked together, harvesting the carrots and then moving on to the radishes and tomatoes. Isla’s joy was palpable, her excitement contagious. Teddy found himself getting more into the task, enjoying the process of discovering the hidden treasures in the soil.

As they filled their baskets with fresh produce, Isla couldn’t help but beam with pride. “This is what it’s all about, Teddy. Growing your own food, taking care of the earth, and enjoying the fruits of your labor. It’s incredibly fulfilling.”

Teddy looked at the vibrant vegetables in their baskets, then at Isla’s radiant smile. He couldn’t deny that there was something special about this. “Okay, I’ll admit it. This is pretty cool. And I can see why you love it so much.”

Isla’s face lit up even more. “I’m glad you’re starting to see it. Gardening is so much more than just a hobby for me. It’s a way of life.”

They spent the next few hours tending to the garden, weeding, watering, and harvesting more vegetables. Teddy found himself enjoying the rhythm of the work, the sense of accomplishment that came with each task completed. The heat was still a challenge, but Isla’s enthusiasm made it bearable.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Teddy’s shirt stuck to his back with sweat. He paused to wipe his brow, glancing over at Isla, who was still working diligently.

“Okay, Isla, I have to ask,” Teddy said, his voice tinged with amusement. “How do you not mind this heat? I feel like I’m melting.”

Isla looked up, a small smudge of dirt on her cheek, and laughed. “It’s all part of the experience, Teddy. Besides, you get used to it after a while. And it’s worth it for the results.”

Teddy shook his head, though he couldn’t help but smile. “You’re something else, Isla. I’ll give you that.”

They finished up the last of the weeding and sat down in the shade of a large tree to take a break. Isla handed Teddy a water bottle, and they drank deeply, savoring the cool liquid.

“This is nice,” Teddy admitted, leaning back against the tree trunk. “Just sitting here, enjoying the quiet.”

Isla nodded, her eyes closing for a moment as she listened to the sounds of the garden. “It really is. This place is my sanctuary. It’s where I come to find peace and reconnect with nature.”

Teddy reached out and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad you shared it with me. Even if I did complain about the heat.”

Isla smiled, her eyes opening to meet his. “I’m glad you came. It means a lot to me that you’re willing to help, even if it’s not your favorite thing.”

Teddy shrugged, a playful glint in his eye. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for a pretty girl who loves her garden.”

They both laughed, the sound echoing softly in the still morning air. For a moment, they simply enjoyed each other’s company, the connection between them growing stronger with each shared experience.

As they gathered their tools and prepared to head back to the house, Teddy looked around the garden one last time. “You know, Isla, I think I’m starting to get it. This whole gardening thing. It’s kind of amazing.”

Isla’s smile was warm and genuine. “I’m glad, Teddy. It means a lot to me that you’re willing to see it from my perspective. And who knows? Maybe one day you’ll love it as much as I do.”

Teddy chuckled, though there was a softness in his eyes. “Maybe. But for now, I’m just happy to be here with you. Even if it is a little hot.”

They walked back to the house, their baskets full of fresh vegetables and their hearts full of a shared sense of accomplishment. The day had been long and tiring, but it had also been rewarding in ways Teddy hadn’t expected.

As they entered the cool interior of the house, Teddy let out a sigh of relief. “Ah, sweet, sweet air conditioning. I’ve missed you.”

Isla laughed, setting her basket down on the kitchen counter. “You and your AC. I guess I can’t blame you. It does feel pretty good after a morning in the garden.”

They spent the rest of the day preparing a meal with their freshly harvested vegetables. Teddy watched in awe as Isla effortlessly chopped, diced, and sautéed, her movements fluid and graceful. The kitchen filled with the delicious aromas of their labor, and Teddy found himself appreciating the results of their hard work even more.

As they sat down to eat, Teddy raised his glass in a toast. “To the best gardener I know, and to the most amazing day I’ve had in a long time.”

Isla blushed, clinking her glass against his. “Thank you, Teddy. And thank you for being a part of it. Here’s to many more days like this.”

They ate in companionable silence, the bond between them stronger than ever. The garden had brought them closer, giving them a shared purpose and a deeper understanding of each other. And as they looked out the window at the setting sun, they both knew that this was just the beginning of many more adventures together.