The Gardens of Digby Green: Green and Yellow Jug
Digby hefted the shovel to his shoulder and strode beyond the hood of his truck. He angled the blade and stomped down, slicing through the sand burr roots to break ground for this richly-deserved new garden.
The placement would suit her well, as prickly as she was. He cut a neat line to measure the plot, a masterfully dug three feet by six feet, that no one could fault, not even the florist lady. She’d have nothing to say about it, at all.
Digby set aside the most flourishing sand burr plants in a neat group, ready for replanting.
When his efforts satisfied him, Digby left the shovel beside the new garden, and went round to the passenger door of his pickup. Inside, on the floor, were several miniature rose plants. He lined them up beside the reserved sand burrs, and returned to his truck.
For kicks, he held the flashlight below his chin when he stuck his head into the truck bed. The florist lady tried to scream. It really was laughable.
“It’s time to come out and see the new garden.”
She shook her head violently, just like the others. He chuckled, and slid under the truck cap on his belly. This part of the process was always complicated. Until he’d worked out the best method, he used to sport a few bruises after a night of gardening. Now, though, it went like clockwork.
Unchain the right hand. When she rolls, use her momentum, and bend her arm behind her back. Secure that right hand to her center belt loop with a zip tie. Release the left ankle and zip tie it to the same belt loop. That position alone subdued most of them.
He took a fist full of the florist’s hair, draped the dangling end of the tube and attached funnel over her shoulder, then grabbed her left wrist, and dragged her out of the truck bed.
Digby left her leaning against the dirt pile, and returned to his truck for the green and yellow jug of pesticide he’d retained from one of the day’s deliveries.
The Gardens of Digby Green is a short story in multiple parts which will post on Fridays until the story is complete.
Next week, part thirteen, I Made You a Garden.
Find a link to purchase Heartland Treasures anthology here.
Ruth DeMaat
Heidi Kortman
Krystine Kercher
Heidi Kortman