I pulled on my rubber boots and went out back. Miss Betty was already on her knees weeding the okro. That was the first thing we planted because in two-twos they’re longer than your hand. I fingered the row of plants, checking the leaves for white blight spots or holes where insects have nibbled. By next month-end we should be feasting on our own fried okro with hot sada roti or using it to make callaloo soup. The pigeon peas, pimento, and sweet peppers are already bearing. Two steel drums, cut in half horizontally and laid end to end, have every seasoning you could want. I’m talking thyme, Spanish thyme, rosemary, chive, sweet basil, marjoram, coriander, flat leaf parsley, curly leaf parsley. The chadon beni need a haircut before it takes over. But not everything we’ve put in the ground has been a success.
—Something is eating the pumpkin vine, Miss B.
—I saw that. It could be the birds.
Whatever was attacking the pumpkin should move over to the spinach instead. When I was little the neighbor used to grow endless spinach only they called it by the Indian name, chorai bhagi. Strange the things you remember. We have enough spinach to sell in the market. Everyone on our street got a share. People at work got plenty. Open the fridge right now and it’s overflowing with the damn thing. To hear Miss Betty you would think spinach was heaven’s chosen plant. She tells anybody who asks, and a few who don’t, that since she started having spinach daily her skin’s clearer, she has more energy, and she’s regular as clockwork. Not me.
—Mr. Chetan, you plan to keep walking around like an inspector or you’re going to put a hand?
—Your problem is you’re too anxious. Relax. I will finish this in two-twos.
She rolled her eyes at me but I caught the little smile that came after. I like when she pretends she’s vexed with me. Best I start weeding before she gets mad for real.
Agriculturists may not agree but in my experience weeds are always the fastest-growing plant whatever the conditions.
An hour of kneeling down, crouching over these rows and rows of plants, and I was desperate for a beastly cold Carib.
—A Carib for you, Miss B?
—So early? Only a glass of cold water, please.
When I came back with the drinks Miss Betty was poking two small bags of Sargassum fertilizer. Me? Only thing I wanted to examine was a second Carib, while rocking in the hammock.
—Miss Betty, the fertilizer is enough?
—It will stretch. No way I’m getting up from here to go in traffic for more.
—I could always go.
—You ain’t going nowhere. Pulling a fast one. I look like I born yesterday? You leave to buy fertilizer and next thing I’ll get a call saying, oh, you took two wrong turns and don’t know how but you land up in Maracas Bay.
She wagged a pointy finger in my face.
—I’m watching you good.
—All right, all right. Cool yourself. I was only making joke.
—You going to weed that bed of spinach?
—I’m leaving that for last. Damn spinach will shoot up even if the weeds choking them. But check out this pretty little pepper tree. The thing ain’t reach a good three foot yet and it’s laden with Congo pepper. Just now we’ll be making pepper sauce.
By eleven o’clock the sun was stinging the back of my neck and my middle-aged bones were telling me they had been punished enough.
—Hear nah. How about we call it a day? Tomorrow morning bright and early, when it’s not making so hot, you go find me right here.
—No way. Once you leave, this garden ain’t seeing your face again for the weekend.
—Have a heart, woman. While you’re in church, I will finish up. Promise. Cross my heart and hope to die.
—Go along, go along. You don’t have an ounce of stamina. Them years in London made you ’fraid a little hot sun. Leave. I’m good.
—You sure?
—Go bathe your skin in cold water before you get sunstroke.
In my room, I cooled off under the high-speed fan. Not being able to deal with the heat is something I can’t admit as a born and bred Trini. Give me the cold over this hot sun any day. Miss Betty’s still going strong outside. Me? I’m dead out. My back done tell me I’ve put in a full day’s labor. My watch however claims it’s barely 11:30 A.M. I shifted to the patio to take the breeze.
* * *
A good hour passed before she collapsed in the hammock next to mine, a nasty-looking green smoothie in her hand.
—Hitting the spinach hard, I see. Mind you don’t turn green like Kermit the Frog.
—This is a healthy blend of spinach, banana, and apple juice. If you know what’s good for you, you would put down the Carib and drink a glass too. We might all be getting older but I’m not going down without a fight.
She sipped her drink and I scanned the newspaper.
—You want to go to Movietown, Mr. Chetan?
—Not really. If it’s company you want I’ll go. What do you want to see?
—I haven’t even checked what’s showing.
She took another gulp of the green liquid and waved for me to hand over the papers.
—And pass your glasses one time.
I took off my glasses and pretended to hand them over. Just before she touched them I yanked them away. She sighed and put her hand out, palm up. I slowly reached out but she was fast and snatched the glasses. With victory in her smile she put them on even though they swallowed her narrow face.
—Miss B, you don’t think you should get your eyes tested soon? Like next week.
—Nothing is wrong with my eyes. And I’m not wearing glasses. Full stop. Make me look more ugly. Now and then when I can’t see something I can borrow yours.
I wouldn’t say Miss Betty’s pretty. After seeing her daily, and looking all how, my mind’s changed. She’s handsome. Even this minute with her wet hair pulled in a bun and wearing my oversized glasses, she is attractive in a weird way.
—So, what are you dragging me to see then?
—Give me a fat chance. I’m still looking.
—But Miss B, I was enjoying my papers. There’s a good article on the Venezuelans coming here for work.
—Hush. Keep quiet for five minutes. And don’t start me on the way we treating Venezuelans. They vex because the Venezuelans showing them up and working hard.
Sighing, she looked up.
—It’s only one set of stupidness showing. It wasn’t so much the cinema. I wanted to go out the house little bit. You don’t sometimes wish you had a person to lime with?