March came like a lion.
Wind. Rain. Grey skies. The courtyard flooded twice. The soil turned to mud. Maya worried the seeds had drowned.
But on the fifteenth day, she saw them. Small green shoots. Pushing through the dirt.
She knelt in the mud. She touched one gently.
"Hello," she said.
Leo came down. He stood at the edge of the courtyard.
"They're alive," he said.
"They're alive."
He smiled. It was a real smile. Wide. Warm.
"The garden grows back," he said.
"I told you."
"You told me."
She stood up. Her knees were wet. Her hands were muddy.
"I want to get married in June," she said.
Leo raised an eyebrow. "June?"
"In the courtyard. Under the morning glories."
He looked at the brick walls. The muddy ground. The broken birdbath.
"It's not a church," he said.
"I don't want a church."
"It's not a courthouse."
"I don't want a courthouse."
"Then what is it?"
She took his hand. "It's home."
He was quiet for a long moment. Then he nodded. "June."
"June."
---
They told Marco first.
He came over on a Sunday afternoon. The six-pack. The donuts. The same as always.
"We're getting married," Maya said.
Marco looked at Leo. Then at Maya. Then back at Leo.
"About time," he said.
"You're not surprised?"
"I've been waiting for a year."
He hugged her. His arms were thin. His chest was bony.
"I'm happy for you," he said.
"Thank you."
"Can I be the best man?"
Leo nodded. "If you want."
Marco smiled. It was the first time Maya had seen him smile in months.
---
They told Jasmine next.
She came after her shift, still in her scrubs. She sat on the floor of the living room. Her eyes were tired.
"You're getting married?" she said.
"Yes."
"In the courtyard?"
"Yes."
She looked at Maya for a long moment. Then she hugged her.
"I'll be there," she said. "I'll bring my fiancé."
"The nurse?"
"Yes. His name is David. He's boring. But he's nice."
Maya almost smiled. "Boring is good."
"Boring is safe."
---
They told Mr. Chen by phone.
He was still in Florida. His voice was thin. His words were slow.
"I'll come," he said. "For the wedding."
"You don't have to. It's a long bus ride."
"Twenty-four hours. I've done it before."
"Mr. Chen –"
"I'm old. I'm tired. But I'm not dead." He paused. "I want to see you get married."
Maya's throat tightened. "Okay."
"I'll bring a gift."
"You don't have to."
"I want to."
He hung up.
---
April came.
The garden exploded. Tomato plants reached for the sky. Basil spread across the soil. Morning glories climbed the brick walls.
Maya spent her mornings in the courtyard, watering, weeding, watching.
She drew the garden every day. The same plants, different angles. The way the light changed. The way the shadows moved.
Leo worked. The law firm kept him busy. Tenant rights. Eviction defense. The same work Vanessa did.
He came home exhausted. He sat on the floor of the living room. He stared at the painting on the wall.
"You're going to wear yourself out," Maya said.
"I'm fine."
"You're not fine. You're tired."
"I'm always tired."
She sat next to him. "Then rest."
"I can't. There's too much to do."
She took his hand. "The work will always be there. The people will always need help. But you only have one body."
He looked at her. "You sound like Mrs. Patterson."
"I learned from the best."
He leaned his head on her shoulder. "I'll rest. Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow."