Ever since Tony was arrested, she had become a frugal shopper, so she surprised herself when she asked Mary to pick a small plant for herself. Mary would learn how to water it and take good care of it so that it would grow to be as big as she was. The girl walked up and down the aisles, trying to decide. “That one,” she said as she pointed to a small pot of African violets.
“You sure?” Inez said. She knew that plant wouldn’t be forgiving of a child’s lackadaisical maintenance.
“No, that one!” She was already pointing to something else.
They finally settled on a small snake plant. Its few stiff leaves stood straight up, its yellow edges framing the mottle of greens. “I’ll show you how to repot when we get home, okay?”
When Rosie showed up with Juan at the greenhouse, Inez felt a blush o
