My contribution to the deadlinesforwriters short story challenge April 2025. The prompt was „Futile“ and the required word count was 500.
Bryony’s Garden
‘Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?’
Bryony’s neighbour Patricia leaned over the hedge and wiped the sweat from her brow. She was pink in the face from packing.
‘Where would I go? Thanks for the offer, but I am not done with my garden yet. See? These saplings are ready to be planted.’ Bryony gestured to a tray on her garden table.
Patricia frowned. ‘There is space enough in our car, you know. We can wait a bit for you to get your things.’
‘I know. Safe travels, Pat, and let me know when you have arrived!’
They looked at each other until Pat nodded, turned around and got into her car. Her husband had been staring at them for the last five minutes and started the engine before Pat had a chance to shut her door properly.
Bryony watched them speed down the otherwise quiet road, a smile on her face. Only when they were nearly at the end of it did she remember to wave.
She picked up the tray with her left hand. It was full of planting pots sprouting fresh green plants. With her right, Bryony stroked across their leaves, feeling the energy buzzing in them. They all looked so determined to grow and thrive.
She scanned her garden to choose just the right spots for planting each sapling. Pat had always been a bit jealous of Bryony’s green thumb. On the other side of the hedge there were no flower beds, only lawn and a neatly paved area. Bryony remembered sitting under the sunshade, a glass of cold lemonade in her hand, chatting with Pat about nothing of consequence.
Bryony’s own plot had always been overflowing with fruit trees, flowers, bushes and early vegetables this time of year. The climbers usually would have made some strides up the fence already. The greenhouse would be ready to protect another year’s batch of tomatoes. Well, maybe not this year.
With a sigh, she took in the state of the smallest apple tree. It had managed to blossom, but its leaves were small and brown at the edges.
She shook her head, knelt down and dug a hole for each sapling, deep enough to add some compost first, brown, crumbly and rich.
When she checked the rain barrel, there was just enough water left in there to give the new flower bed inhabitants a much needed shower. She managed two rounds back and forth with her watering can, but the roses and fruit trees would have to go without today.
Hands on her hips, she observed her work. Then she took out her phone, and with a carefully neutral face, she scrolled down the news. The fires would be here tomorrow. She closed her eyes for a few long seconds.
Bryony stuffed her smartphone back into her apron pocket and sat down on the ground. Once settled, she leaned back on her arms and let her eyes drink in the beauty of her garden.
Like my contribution to the story challenge April 2025? You can find more of my stories here!
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