The smell of dirt filled the air as Eliza bent over the raised garden bed and picked a few more kale leaves. She laid them carefully with the other lettuces in her basket and looked up at the cloudless September sky. Despite the near arrival of fall, it was warm enough to make her sweat under her lightweight sweater.
“Hey, darlin’.” Sasha stood next to the garden bed and held out a golden sunflower.
Eliza took it from her and held it up to her face, taking in the light, earthy fragrance. “Where did you get this?”
“I have friends in high places.” She grinned. “It was worth it to see that smile. It’s brighter than the sun.”
Eliza rolled her eyes and set it on the edge of a nearby planter. “Here, I have the book you loaned me.” She opened her bag and took out a book on fall gardening.
“Did it help?”
“Oh, yes. I’ll be a master gardener before you know it.” She looked around the small square of greenspace where they met to care for the community garden. But it will take me a decade to afford a house with a yard here.
Sasha smiled and took the book, tucking it carefully into her purse while she looked around at the other gardeners. “Where are you taking that?” She pointed to Eliza’s basket.
“Well.” Eliza squinted in the noon sun. “Part of it’s dinner. Some is going to a neighbor and the rest to Mr. Buchelli.” They both looked across the street to the run-down magazine stand Mr. Buchelli ran with his wife.
“Ah.” Sasha nodded. “We’re going for ice cream. You coming?”
Of course, she was going; she always went. It was their routine, one that lasted well into the chilly months ahead until their work in the garden was done.
Eliza checked her phone for the time and noticed she had a message from the stranger who had randomly texted her the week before. “I’ll be right there,” she called out to Sasha and the others as they started toward Martin’s Ice Cream Shop across the busy street. She set her basket down and opened the message.
I did something fun today, something that made me happy.
She thought back to their conversation about happiness. Was she supposed to guess what it was? Was he going to tell her?
I went to a dog park. I don’t have a dog, but I want one. I have for a long time.
With the sun beating down on her, it was difficult to see the phone screen. She hoisted the basket onto her hip and joined her friends across the street, stepping under the shaded awning of Martin’s to type her reply.
I’m so glad you went. Even more glad it made you happy.
It’s only because of you.
She had never met him, seen his face, or heard his voice. And he was telling her she had enough power to dictate what he did that day? A shiver slid down her spine as a gust of wind whipped through the awning, blowing her hair into her face. She looked up to see Sasha waving from the other side of the window, holding up a cup of mint chocolate chip ice cream – Eliza’s favorite – and motioning for her to join them.
Eliza didn’t look at her phone again until she finished the ice cream, food deliveries, and chores. She plopped down onto her couch, tired and satisfied with another busy Friday, and opened the message she’d missed earlier. Whatever hope she had that the stranger would drop the conversation was gone as it became clear he had no intention of doing so. Maybe he needs a friend. I can’t say no to that.
What do you like to do in your free time?
She liked to do a lot of things, but she had little free time between two jobs, friends, and volunteering at the garden.
I like to read or learn new skills.
As ambiguous an answer as she could think of.
What new skills are you learning?
The spiral notebook she’d used in the photography class she’d just finished sat on the end table.
Skills that will further me in my career and as a person.
And your career would be? If you don’t mind my asking.
She tapped her phone thoughtfully, trying to think of a polite way to put it.
I don’t mind you asking. But I’d rather not answer personal questions. You're still a stranger.
She winced as she pushed the button, hoping he wasn’t offended, before moving on to scrolling through the social media feed of a client who had just posted her wedding photos. She didn’t always get to see her work floating around in the real world, so the opportunity was most welcome. She clicked through the photos and read the comments with a grin. Most were well wishes or remarks on how beautiful the bride was; no one asked about the photographer or praised the photos' quality. But that was normal, and it filled her with warmth to be a part of something so special.
Fair enough.
She swiped away the message and returned to studying the last picture of the happy couple next to a lake surrounded by early autumn trees still vibrant with luscious green color. It was her favorite picture of that day. She looked out the living room window at the building on the opposite side of the street and decided to take her own advice and do something that made her happy – to spend more time outside. It didn’t have to be a lake view or a mountain vista; it would be good enough to sit outside and watch people walk by while pigeons fight their way through the breeze overhead. She grabbed her camera and headed back to the park she had just been working in, and there she stayed for the next three hours, soaking in the sunshine and capturing moments in time that seemed mundane and insignificant until she looked at them closely and realized just how much life one moment could hold.
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