“It is Joanna’s home and Robert’s, too, for that matter. There’s no need for them to feel as if they have to hide. I mean, seriously, it’s not like this arrangement is going to last for only a few weeks, so I think the sooner we start making some changes, the better,” Evelyn said as she marched toward the door.

“What are you going to do?” Noah said, getting to his feet.

“I’m going to ask Joanna to dinner.”

***

Joanna had never believed herself to be an explorer. The deepest and darkest parts of Africa held no interest, nor did brushing away layers of earth to find fossils buried deep, but as she pushed aside dead leaves and branches, and sat down on a granite shelf atop a raised bed, her interest was piqued. What lay beneath the overgrowth? What secrets were hidden under the layers of composting stalks and weeds? Was this garden really once as prestigious as she believed it to be?

“There’s only one way to find out,” she muttered to herself, grabbing a fistful of weeds and freeing their roots from the black soil below. “It’s not like I have anything else to do.”

With no gloves to protect her hands, Joanna carefully pulled out tufts of grass with roots not strong enough to withstand her tug, but flora too stubborn was left to stand for yet another day as she worked methodically on the bed. She had no idea how large it was, but it really didn’t matter, and as each small bit was cleared to show the soil underneath, she smiled at her accomplishment. The sun was at her back, giving her the heat she needed against the chill in the air, and as the breeze blew, she inhaled the smell of earth uncovered. The rain which had fallen for two days previous had nestled its way deep into the thatch, so it didn’t take long before Joanna’s hands were wet and stained with shades of green and brown. She wiped her brow to push aside some strands of hair. Grinning at the few square feet of soil she had just uncovered, she got up, stretched, and then took another step. Once again clearing off leaves and debris from the top of the raised bed wall, Joanna sat back down and began attacking the overgrown vegetation within reach.

“Well, here you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

Joanna flinched at the unexpected interruption and swiveled around. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she said, “Hiya, Evelyn.”

“Hi yourself,” Evelyn said, stopping just short of the pile of dead weeds near Joanna’s feet. “I’d ask you what you’re doing, but it’s fairly obvious, although I’m not sure why you’re doing it.”

Joanna shrugged. “It gives me something to do.”