NOT A GARDEN

We'd invited some friends over for pizza and Steven had made some appetizers. As he put the plate of tomato, mozzarella and basil drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil on the table he proudly announced. “This came out of Kathy's garden!”

“Oh, the tomatoes!” Nicole asked as she scooped one off the plate.

“No, the basil.” Steven said and smiled at me.

“The tomatoes came from the grocery store.” I admitted.

“But she's growing some great looking cherry tomatoes!” Steven said. He looked over at Nancy. “Would you like to see her garden?”

“Um...Steven there's not really much to see.” I said passing the plate of olives to Nancy's husband Frank.

“Oh, come on...you're not giving yourself enough credit.” Steven got up and tapped Nancy on the arm. “Do you want to see?”

“Sure.” Nancy got up and followed Steven out the back door to our deck where five pots of cherry tomatoes were tied along the deck posts.

I handed the plate of cheese and crackers to Nicole's husband Jake before following them out to the deck.

I opened the back door and could see Nancy patiently standing next to Steven as he proudly pointed to the dozen or so cherry tomatoes ripening on the vines. “It's a pretty nice crop she's got coming in!” he said.

Nancy nodded and tried to look impressed.

“And her basil's right over there!” Steven pointed to the pot of basil next to the rocking chair. “Oh that's nice.” Nancy agreed.

“Hey, Nancy! Can I get you a glass of wine?” I asked as I stood in the open doorway.

“Oh, that would be great!” She came back into the house with Steven following her. I let Nancy in and stopped Steven at the door closing it quietly so the two of us were alone on the deck.

“Didn't Frank and Nancy have a huge garden when they lived in Connecticut?” I whispered to him.

“Sure they did.” Steven looked over his shoulder. “It was probably the size of our whole deck. They grew everything! Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers!” He shook his head trying to remember. “I think he even tried pumpkins or watermelons at one time.”

I groaned as I smacked my hand to my forehead. “So do you really think Nancy wanted to see my five tomatoes plants and a container of basil?” I groaned even louder. “I can't believe you even called it a garden?”

Steven patted me on the shoulder and reached for the doorknob. “Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. Last year you only had two tomato plants and this year you have five. I'm proud of you!”

I laughed. “Thanks.”

“Hey, just think maybe next year your garden will be in the yard and not on the deck.” Steven gave a hopeful smile.

I just shook my head. “Let's not go crazy. I can barely remember to water the five plants I have.”

As he opened the door we heard the knock at the front door. “Pizza's here!” we called in unison.