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“I bet you sleep with nothing on.”
“Isra!” Nancy scolded.
“Not true, but also these things are so difficult to pee in. I’d need a diaper.”
Isra laughed while Nancy shook her head. I locked up the house and showed off the new car.
“Isn’t it nice?” I asked. “It’s even got floor liners for dirt.”
“And Levi bought you this?” Nancy asked. “Usually, he buys things that are ... fancier.”
“Waytoofancy, if you ask me.” Isra crossed her arms.
“Yes. He said I could get what I wanted. And this was it. He said it was cheap, but it was literally more than I’ve ever spent on any of my cars.”
“He likes the fancy brands,” Nancy explained. “But I like these kinds myself. They’re more practical.”
“You let him buy you that Volvo,” Isra said, shaking her head.
“Like I was gonna say no.”
I laughed at their antics and made sure both of them had space in the car before we set out. Isra and Nancy squabbled for the front seat, reminding me of how Emma and I used to be.
The drive took nearly an hour. When I saw the size of the grounds, however, I knew it had been worth it.
I usually went to local greenhouses for my plants, but when I was low on money, I had to choose from the big box store sales to make sure I could afford my second favorite hobby.
Now, I didn’t have to worry about it, and it was nice to be somewhere that I could feasibly run into the owner and strike up a conversation.
Nancy was a keeper of houseplants, so much so that Isra said that she was in danger of clogging up the walkways with all of her greenery. Isra told her not to get any more, but by the time we were done with the indoor section, she had five.
“I can’t believe you have more plants than Amy does,” Isra griped. “This whole day was for her!”
“Wait until I see the fruits and vegetables,” I replied. “Then I’ll catch up.”
And I did. As soon as I saw tomatoes and peppers, I loaded up on them. I already had a few planted, but I hadn’t gone to get a huge load like this.
After just a few minutes, I had an entire cart full, and Nancy was teasing Isra about saying I hadn’t gotten enough.
“Glad you got a bigger car,” Isra said as we loaded up. “But we still have to put some next to Nancy to get home.”
“I can’t believe you’re making me sit in the back,” Nancy complained. “With my car sickness!”
“Mine is worse! And I won rock paper scissors.”
I laughed as I loaded everything up. My legs were still tired, but I knew I could push through to get it all done.
“Hang on a second!” Isra said. “Hand me that pot. You’re sore.”
“I’ll be fine.”
She hit me with a look so much like Levi’s that I had to remind myself they weren’t actually related.
“Never mind,” I said, handing it to her. “You win.”
“As I usually do.”
It was easier with her help, and when we set off, I was in a good mood. I hadn’t had a day like this in a long time. I could see Isra and Nancy being a part of my circle, especially since they were so easy to be around.