Page 19 of A Very Grumpy Neighbor

“You want to spend your afternoon looking at trees?”

“Yeah.”

She studies me for a moment, and I hold my breath.

“All right. Let’s go.”

I smile as I head for the passenger side of her car and climb in.

“This isn’t going to work,” I mumble as I slide the seat as far back as it will go.

“What?”

“I feel like I’m in a toy car.”

“Well, you look great.”

I huff out a laugh and buckle up as she shifts into reverse. “What are we getting at the hardware store?”

“I need some supplies. I had to order a new safety harness and a pole saw.”

“For work.”

“Yeah.”

“Why become an arborist?” I ask, wanting to know everything about her.

“I love trees and plants. I bounced around for a few years and tried odd jobs. Then I worked at this plant nursery and fell in love. It was so quiet and peaceful. I loved learning how to care for all the different types of plants. It was…relaxing. Perfect.”

“Yeah, I could see that. Why not open your own plant store?”

“I thought about it, but it takes money I don’t have. When I looked for other jobs, an arborist came up, and bam! A new career.”

Jade digs around in her work bag when we pull into the post office parking lot. “I need to drop this off. I’ll be right back.”

I shift in my seat as she hurries inside, trying to get comfortable. It’s no use, though. My legs are too long for this little car.

Jade returns a minute later, and we head to the hardware store.

“What about you? What are you doing now that you’re out of the Marines?” she asks as we drive to the store.

“I don’t know yet. A few guys want me to work for them at Semper Fly.”

“What’s that?”

“A tourist helicopter business here in town.”

“Is that what you want to do?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t decided yet.”

“Well, you’ve got time.”

We reach the hardware store and head up to the counter.

Frank, the owner, smiles at Jade. “Jadey Girl!”

“Hey, Frank. I’m here to pick up my order.”

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