The plants looked unimpressive in their tubs, mostly brown stems and a few tired leaves.

I liked them immediately.

Nobody had to pretend they were already blooming for them to be worth bringing home.

We bought compost and loaded everything into the truck.

Brenda was waiting in the small shared backyard when we arrived.

I had arranged permission to use the sunny stretch beside the fence.

She had brought gloves and an old pair of boots.

“You actually bought them,” she said.