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I sniffed a Japanese Red Maple Tree. “History teacher. Yup.”
This is out of the question…
“He told me Vera died two days ago.”
My body steeled again. This time, I was leaning over, pulling out a Benjamina Ficus tree. I was sure I looked awkward as hell. But did I hear… “Died?”
“Yup.” Her tone was nonplussed. “Dead.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. She’d been having some health issues regarding her asthma over the years, but nothing major. She was found dead in her bed.”
“By whom?”
“Her mother.”
I stood to full height. “Shit.”
“Right.”
The girl was our age, give or take a year. News of her passing was unbelievable.
“I’m sure it’s too soon to have any arrangements finalized.”
“Yeah, which is why he called me. The family asked someone from theAcademyto do the eulogy. Elder Peterson asked if I’d do it.”
“You’re not an employee of the school.”
“Yeah, but I’m alumni. He remembered us being at theAcademytogether and asked if I was up to it. I’m considering it.”
“Oh.” I croaked, interest in plant shopping thwarted. “I understand.”
“Well, okay.” She sighed. “I’m going to let you go.”
“Thanks for hitting me up. One last thing. She had no kids. No husband. Right?”
“No. I don’t believe she did. She owned a daycare in Passaic alongside her mother. Remember, her mother had started opening them when we were in high school. Last I heard, she was really devoted to the kids in that city. They did clothing and food drives all the time. She even let homeless families stay in the basement of the school they renovated into an efficiency apartment.”
“Damn.” What a way to go.
It sounded so…lonely. It sounded so…
Me.
I’d been working my father’s passion. I had no kids or husband to speak of. No dream of my own in true pursuit.
“Shi-Shi…”
“Yeah?”
“You don’t need a plant.” I blinked at her words, partially confused, half spooked. “You don’t need a dog and you don’t need a plant—unless you’re looking to purify the air of your home or to decorate it.”
I hadn’t thought about air-purification. Neither had I been redecorating my place. Since Ines moved in, she’d do small updates every now and then. It was official. I was over the garden ofLowes.
“Say less.”
“Huhn?”
