Over the following weeks, Hattie became someone I could trust. She taught me about soil, seasons, and the importance of patience. I started arriving earlier and staying later. Slowly, my confidence returned. I also began completing my school assignments regularly and considering what I wanted after graduation.
One afternoon, I discovered Hattie struggling to carry a heavy basket. I immediately helped her, and she smiled. “See? You’re stronger than you think.” Then she revealed something surprising: the peach farm had once belonged to her late husband, and she had nearly abandoned it after his death. The farm had helped her survive grief, just as it was helping me.
