The Tomato Challenge
Chapter 2: Two Tomato Laugh
I continued my days, alternating between fishing and tending my garden. Every day I would plant a few more seeds taken from the harvests of my other plants; slowly my garden was growing, and I was saving a little money each day.
What worried me was whether the land I was tending was owned by someone else already; if so, then I was not only trespassing, but growing my garden there would probably be considered squatting. I hoped that at some point I could save enough to actually purchase the land, if the owner was amenable to that.
One day, to my surprise, that strange seed bloomed into what had to be the strangest plant ever.
One day, to my surprise, that strange seed bloomed into what had to be the strangest plant ever.
I played with it for a little while; it acted friendly, but there was something that seemed dangerous about it. I decided that keeping it in my garden wasn't such a good idea. It didn't seem to like fertilizer, and I wasn't sure what it ate. That made me a little bit nervous, and I decided not to keep it. (*1)
After several more weeks of gardening, I had finally earned enough that I thought I might be able to purchase the land that I lived on. I wasn't sure where to go, so I traveled downtown, and went to the urban development department. A clerk looked up the area for me, and the land was owned by the city. That meant I would be able to purchase it without having to convince someone to give it up. I bought the land, and with the deed in my pocket, I headed back home. (*2)
Now that I legally owned the land, I could put some things on it that I desperately needed. The first thing that occurred to me was a bed, but I knew that a shower and toilet were even more necessary. I didn't have much money yet, but I had enough to build a small shed on the land. I hadn't had a chance to connect utilities to the property so I would have to make do with a simple outhouse style. It meant that I would need to gather water from the lake each time that I fished, but I could handle that.
I still had some money left over, but as I didn't know anything about building a home, I decided to wait on that.
After several more weeks of gardening, I had finally earned enough that I thought I might be able to purchase the land that I lived on. I wasn't sure where to go, so I traveled downtown, and went to the urban development department. A clerk looked up the area for me, and the land was owned by the city. That meant I would be able to purchase it without having to convince someone to give it up. I bought the land, and with the deed in my pocket, I headed back home. (*2)
Now that I legally owned the land, I could put some things on it that I desperately needed. The first thing that occurred to me was a bed, but I knew that a shower and toilet were even more necessary. I didn't have much money yet, but I had enough to build a small shed on the land. I hadn't had a chance to connect utilities to the property so I would have to make do with a simple outhouse style. It meant that I would need to gather water from the lake each time that I fished, but I could handle that.
I still had some money left over, but as I didn't know anything about building a home, I decided to wait on that.
Within a few weeks I saved some more money, and a new friend of mine - Mortimer Goth, who had joined my club a week or two before - helped me find an architect who could help me design a simple home. He also directed me to estate sales, persuading me that I could find some excellent quality furnishings that would be quite inexpensive. I went to a few of them, and I found some bargains! I absolutely love the small home that the architect helped me design, and which Mortimer and a few other friends helped me build.
I adored the new windows I had found. I know my father would absolutely hate them, which was all the more reason that I loved them. They were quite a bargain; even Mortimer admitted that I had gotten them at a better price than he would have expected. I know that they're rather dark and ominous looking at the beginning, but I would paint them later, when I can afford to buy some paint, and they would look very bright and homey.
I even found some furniture at a few garage sales - a folding table, and a number of folding chairs. Nothing spectacular, certainly, but it was all mine. The counters, stove, and refrigerator were all used, but I could fix them up. I would just have to learn how to do it. I had never been very handy with things when I had lived with my parents, but then, I had never really tried.
I even found some furniture at a few garage sales - a folding table, and a number of folding chairs. Nothing spectacular, certainly, but it was all mine. The counters, stove, and refrigerator were all used, but I could fix them up. I would just have to learn how to do it. I had never been very handy with things when I had lived with my parents, but then, I had never really tried.
The bed... well, it wasn't much of a bed, but I could manage. It's certainly better than those park benches I had been sleeping on! I actually had a roof over my head; I didn't have to sleep in the rain anymore!
I spent a little more on the plumbing. The weeks I spent using the shower in that small outhouse showed me that a good shower was worth the extra expense. It's the only thing I splurged on, though; everything else I bargained like a horse trader.
It was such a relief to be able to cook on a real stove! Grilling a few apples outside every time I got hungry wasn't the best way to live. I still didn't know too much about cooking, so I decided to use some of the tomatoes I had harvested that morning, and make myself a salad.
It was the best thing I had eaten in a long time! I put the leftovers into the refrigerator, and decided to sleep in my new bed for the very first time.
My garden was becoming diverse, and also a little more challenging to keep up with. But then it occurred to me that several people have approached me about joining my club, and since it IS named Gardeners Anonymous, surely they can also help me garden?
So that morning, right after the fruits started coming in on every plant, I contacted the members of the club and started a meeting. They immediately all came over and helped out.
So that morning, right after the fruits started coming in on every plant, I contacted the members of the club and started a meeting. They immediately all came over and helped out.
I fed them lunch afterwards. It was the least I could do for helping me out.
They left the place a mess, which of course I had to clean up. I decided that I wanted to make some improvements on the place; none of my furnishings were the best, so I really should try to improve them.
After my guests left I was a little tired, so I took a nap, and then tried to learn to play that violin that I had fished up a few days before. I really wonder why all these strange things keep coming up into the river. Maybe someone who lives upstream is very clumsy.
The few days I invited my club over every day to help me with my gardening chores. I now always waited until after I had harvested and sold all of the fruits I wanted; I had caught Bella Goth stealing some of my tomatoes on that first day, and I would have no more of that! We always socialized afterwards, and I always made them a snack.
I repainted the windows some nice cheery colors, and painted my doors to match them. I think they looked absolutely adorable.
I hadn't decided if I wanted to repaint the fence or house itself yet. My friends had helped me varnish the wood floor until it had shone, but the outside of the house still seemed a little dull. I would see what I wanted to do with that later.
There was another thunderstorm one night, which left two more burnt spots in the yard. Fortunately for me, it didn't strike either my house, nor any of my plants.
There was another thunderstorm one night, which left two more burnt spots in the yard. Fortunately for me, it didn't strike either my house, nor any of my plants.
One evening a handsome young man whom I had never seen before came by my door. Often I ignored strangers who stopped by, but this one... well, I'm not sure if I've ever seen another man quite like him. His name was Caleb, and I was attracted to him immediately.
We talked for a long while; I think he was quite the most interesting person I had ever met. I was very attracted to him, and when he started flirting with me, I started flirting right back. Eventually I couldn't hold back, and for the first time in my life, I kissed someone who wasn't a relative.
I was so happy when he not only didn't reject me, but he kissed me right back! I asked him if he wanted to be my boyfriend, and he said yes! He moved in with me right away; I was a little nervous about that; I didn't know him at all, really, and what if he wasn't what he seemed to be? (*3)
Notes on this chapter:
- (*1) I didn't sell the cowplant - that would have violated the rules - but I put it in Tomata's family inventory where it would neither die nor affect her property value.
- (*2) Obviously Tomata didn't need to purchase the land; she already owned it. That's just part of the story, since she's supposed to be homeless.
- (*3) Caleb Vatore, of course. Technically I was done with the challenge, and I haven't played a vampire in years, so I thought, well, having him in the household I could try playing one again. Besides, Caleb Vatore. :) I didn't have him bring in any household funds when he moved in, but left all of his money with his sister.