Gardens in the Sky - IV

The fight had only provided Sam with instant gratification. Sadness soon overwhelmed him. He continued to volunteer at the community center, taking on more cooking duties after Kevin was asked not to come back.

He didn't know how to answer the kids' questions about their beloved garden. That was the hardest part of all.

"Mister Sam," Davey had asked one afternoon, "why did all our plants die?"

"I can't really say, Davey," Sam replied.

"Can we plant new ones?"

"Winter is coming," replied Sam. "We have to wait until next year."

"Is that how it goes?" Taqueena asked Sam. "You plant nice things, and they just die one day?"

"Kind of," Sam tried to explain. "It doesn't usually happen all at once like that…but eventually, some plants die, and others go to sleep for the winter.

That's how it was in my parents' garden."

"I wish I could have a backyard garden like yours, Mister," Davey replied.

"You could." Sam smiled.