She walked out to the patio. Gran's patio was otherworldly. She had planted all sorts of flowers and plants: orchids, succulents, cacti, and a myriad of other types of flora. I was always amazed by her gardening skills. She called it her patio. It was more like a horticulturalists daydream. There was a sliding door onto the courtyard that I used to pretend was a gateway into another dimension when I was little. I imagined fairies and elves lived in Gran's garden. It smelled so otherworldly. It was a beautiful place to play as a child. Gran's yard was fenced in on all sides by an eight-foot wooden fence made of redwood. It looked so pretty when it got wet I used to aim the hose at the fence and let the water hit it for what seemed like hours just to see the color change.

My favorite part of the garden was the well that was in the center. It was a real well with real cobblestones—a rarity in the city. Gran made them leave it when she moved in. By the time she and grandpa purchased the house, the entire block was on city sewer and water, but she said the well would add a certain element to her garden that she knew she would like. Gran got her way. The well stayed, uncapped, but she had to agree to fence in the yard with 8-foot tall fencing and not access to it for the public.

The top of the well is made out of some thick oak. It was removable. Gran would remove the lid and bend over to catch the rope. She would pull up the line and the bucket attached would be full of the coldest water you could imagine. Gran told me that we could not drink the water because there was no knowing what had seeped into the groundwater from the city, but we could use it to water the plants and trees in her garden, and that is what we would do. When I stayed at Grans the first thing she did after a cup of coffee each morning was to go outside and get water from the well and water her plants. She started with the trellises first because she said they were the most thirsty. Gran grew her grapes, and they were delicious. She watered their roots with the cool water and then moved on to her potted plants on the porch. From there, she methodically watered each quadrant of the garden. There were the eating plants as she liked to call them. That was the part that had the tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, among other produce. She then would go to the seasoning section. That was where she grew her basil, thyme, oregano, and dill. From there, she would go to her fruits, where she grew her fig bush, raspberries, and strawberries. Then she rounded it out with her medicinal herbs where she rose camomile, mint, and other such plants.

I did not pay as much attention when I was little to watering the plants, but now as an adult, it was as natural as breathing. I did not mind that Mum had asked Annie to do it. I am certain mum knew how distracted I was and thought it best a more relaxed hand take on Gran's garden. Annie asked me to join her by the well. I walked over. She asked if I minded holding the top while she fished for the bucket. "You know it would be a whole lot easier if Gran would use a hose to water her plants," I said offhandedly. "Why would she do that ?" Annie winked at me as she said it. We both laughed. "You are fortunate to have such a loving family. Your mom and grandmother are so wonderful. You know I have known them both for a long time. Do you remember me from when you were little?" I thought for a bit and then said, "Yes, you used to help Gran out when I was a little kid in the garden and the house. You were her helper if I remember correctly." I said. " Yes, I was a teenager needing spending money, and your mom asked me to help out with the garden and with you. I know it has been a long time. I wanted to make sure you remembered me before we talked anymore. I was feeling a little strange about that. Now that it is all sorted let's get to work." Annie picked up the bucket and began watering in the routine that I had seen Gran do a hundred times. Annie looked at me and smiled. "I would like to be friends with Claire. I know I am somewhat older than you, but I have always liked you, and I don't see any reason we cannot strike up a friendship if you would like." I found what Annie said a little odd, but I thought about it and realized she was trying to include me in her friendship with Gran and mum and not treat me as a child. I appreciated the effort and said, "I think that would be wonderful." I had always liked Annie too. She was kind and quiet like me, and I loved how she made mum and Gran laugh. I was getting used to adult friendships. I am glad that Annie was making it so easy for me.

We were about to finish up watering and tending to the garden when Annie took out a pouch from her pocket and began sprinkling the roots of the grapes. "Annie, what is that?" She smiled at me and said that it was a fertilizer that I was going to learn to make this last summer but that since I was gone, she ended up having to make again. Annie walked over and placed her hands on my shoulders and looked deeply into my eyes. She said that I was going to have to learn a lot of things in a minimal amount of time that I had with Gran. She said that she was going to help in any way that she could but that ultimately it was up to me to figure out how much I could do in the time I am given. Annie said she had a riddle for me. I said ok and she asked me "what flies morning, noon, and night and never lands?" I thought for a bit and said I did not know. She slapped her thighs and told me, "Time." Annie looked at her watch and said we have to go, so we headed out the door to the hospital.

Once we got there, I headed straight for mum and Gran. Annie said in parting that she would see me in two days to water the plants, if not sooner. She had given me her cell and said to call her whenever I wanted. I nodded and headed out.