Amani and Zuri, two black little girls with radiant smiles and bright, curious eyes, skip into the garden, their hair adorned with vibrant barrettes. Their laughter rings through the morning stillness as they clutch small watering cans painted with stickers.
"Look at the daisies, Zuri! They're even taller than last week,"
"Maybe if we sing to them, they'll grow even more today,"
Amani darts toward a patch of strawberries, her eyes wide as she spots a flash of red beneath the leaves. Zuri follows, kneeling beside her, their fingers brushing the cool earth as they search for ripe berries.
"I found one! It's so big—here, you take the first bite,"
"Only if we promise to share the next one, too,"
Zuri stands atop the stump, striking a regal pose as she pretends to be queen of the garden. Amani bows dramatically, playing along with delight.
"All who enter the garden must tell a joke to the queen!"
"Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw us picking strawberries!"
Their giggles echo through the greenery, drawing smiles from nearby gardeners.
Miss Gladys sets down a basket of freshly picked peas, her hands gentle and sure.
"You two remind me of my sisters and me when we were your age. Gardens are magic, you know—they help us grow, too,"
"Do you have a favorite flower, Miss Gladys?"
"Sunflowers. They're bold and beautiful, just like you girls,"
Zuri leaps after a monarch, her arms outstretched, while Amani twirls in the sunlight, her dress fanning out in a swirl of color. The scent of honeysuckle hangs sweet and heavy in the air.
"Let's plant something new next week. Maybe sunflowers, like Miss Gladys loves,"
"Yes! We'll make this garden the brightest in the whole city,"
Amani squeezes Zuri's hand, their faces alight with hope and belonging.
"We'll always come back, won't we?"
"Always. The garden feels like home,"
