Chapter 16: The Garden**
Spring brought a much-needed thaw to the neighborhood. The snow melted, leaving behind soft, workable earth. Peter decided it was time to bring some life to the backyard.
He bought bags of soil, trowels, and an assortment of vegetable and flower seeds. On a warm Saturday morning, the three of them knelt in the dirt, the spring sun warming their backs.
"The trick is to make sure the roots have plenty of room to grow," Peter explained, showing Drew how to dig a small trench for the tomato plants.
Lily was entirely focused on the flowerbeds. She meticulously pressed sunflower seeds into the soil, patting the dirt down with her small, muddy hands.
"Will they grow tall?" she asked.
"Very tall," Peter promised. "If we give them water, sunlight, and a safe place to grow, they'll thrive."
As he said it, he realized he wasn't just talking about the plants. He looked at Drew, who was laughing as he tried to flick a small clump of dirt off his shirt, and at Lily, whose cheeks had a healthy, rosy color. They were putting down roots. They were finally in an environment where they didn't just have to survive—they could actually grow.
May you like
By the end of the afternoon, they were covered in mud and exhausted, but the backyard was full of potential.
---
