Granddad Tom Rules - 6. Rick’s Green Thumb 

Twenty minutes into the church service, Rick waved to and smiled at Matt, who was more engrossed in his history book than the church service. As soon as Rick had arrived, Tom had explained to him, “Matt is watching the church service on Zoom to please his father. Actually, the real reason he is watching the service is because he has something to tell his father that would result in a major confrontation. He does not want his father to use the inability to attend church to worsen the expected argument. I’ll let Matt give you his happy announcement.”

Then, Tom was surprised with Rick’s comment, “As soon as I arrived, I was amazed with your landscaping. The selection of trees, shrubs and plants is remarkable. You certainly have a well-planned and beautiful property. While I wait for Matt to finish his ‘commitment with the Lord’ -said with a chuckle - I would like to check out the plantings.”

“My landscaper and friend, Jose Martinez, is responsible for the selections and design. Twenty years ago, he was a day laborer, working for the guy that mowed my property. At that time, there was no formal landscaping, just grass and a few shrubs planted by my mother. When I offered him cold drinks while he mowed, I discovered he was an interesting guy, very much into horticulture. Short version of a long story, Jose now owns a local garden center. I have given him total authority concerning landscaping. I am extremely pleased with the results. Whenever someone with an interest in horticulture visits, they comment on the exceptional selection and good health of the plantings.”

Tom enjoyed chatting with his grandson’s friend. Never did he anticipate the young man would have an interest in, and apparently knowledge of, plants. Their tour ended when Matt appeared on the front porch, now wearing a T-shirt, not the churchly dress shirt and tie.

As the boys greeted each other, Tom excused himself.

Rick’s first question concerned the ‘happy announcement’ Granddad Tom had mentioned. Matt then told about his hope to be a lifeguard at the State Park Beach on the lake at a pay rate of at least $20 an hour and, best of all, to live in the lake house for the summer. He did not mention that this would give him an opportunity to get away from his overbearing father. Since Rick had met the father, it was not necessary to indicate he was a person to avoid.

Then Rick spoke about his impressions of the beautiful and interesting landscaping. When he told Matt that Granddad had promised to take him to visit the garden center, Matt hid his disappointment. He had wished he and Rick would repeat the adventure he had had on the mountain the previous day. This time without Mason and Alan.

The boys walked down to the small beach in front of the house. About fifteen minutes later Tom joined them. “I just talked to Jose at the garden center. He would be happy to meet with my knowledgeable guest. Matt, would you be willing to drive your Subaru Outback. I may be bringing back some mulch and it would easier if we went in an SUV.”

As Matt drove, Granddad was surprised at the condition of the five-year-old Outback. He had given it to his daughter in the hope that it would give her some freedom from Solomon, her overbearing husband. When Matt entered the Christian high school, he needed transportation. While Tom was not happy that giving his daughter the car made it easier for his grandson’s attending the conservative Christian school, he realized Matt would have gone there with or without easy transportation. The car needed new tires, and he suspected necessary maintenance had not been done. Then, he had a bright idea: he would lend Matt his new Porsche 718 Cayman Sports car for the week while he would take the Outback in for new tires and whatever services it required. This would guarantee Matt’s return the following weekend as he would have to return the Porsche. He would tell Matt that he would put him on as a driver for insurance purposes, which meant that no one else could drive it. Tom wanted to make it impossible for Solomon to drive the Porsche.

As they pulled into the parking lot of the garden center, Jose came out of the greenhouse smiling. He offered to take them on a tour of the greenhouses, store, and grounds, with the multitude of plants, shrubs, trees, and a vast array of botanical items needed in New England. While Rick was impressed with the center, Jose was impressed with the knowledge of the young man. After about ten minutes, it became apparent that Jose and Rick would tour the facility for at least an hour. Tom suggested that he and Matt go out for coffee and some shopping while Jose and Rick continued their tour and somewhat technical discussion.

While Tom and Matt sat at an outside table having their coffee and pastries, Tom told his grandson the history of Jose’s business. “About twenty years ago, Jose worked for the guy that mowed the lawn at the lake house. When he finished his mowing, I would offer him a beer and we would talk. He had recently moved to the area from Puerto Rico. He lived with his married uncle, his wife, and their three children. Jose wanted his own place and hoped to someday bring the girl he loved and wanted to marry to Connecticut. I had the feeling that he was being exploited and was most likely working more hours than he was paid. Since he was probably only receiving minimum pay, this was especially cruel. At that time, the lake house was just a small cottage that my parents had purchased twenty-five years earlier. One day, after our ‘mowing conversation,’ he told me he would have to return to Puerto Rico. His uncle had lost his job, and the family would move back. Jose was very sad and almost in tears. Since my parents rarely used the cottage, and I had taken the reasonability for its upkeep and maintenance, I offered to let Jose stay in the small bedroom that for years had been used for storage. To sum up his life in Connecticut, his girlfriend soon arrived, I was best man at their small wedding. They lived in the small room and had use of the entire cottage. They soon had a baby and the owner of the lawn service business retired. I lent Jose money to buy him out. He built up the business, running it out of my garage, I gave him another loan so he could buy a former gas station as business headquarters. He added landscaping services to his lawn mowing services, then stated selling plants. At this point, I encouraged him to form a corporation. I invested more cash and became a 20% owner, with him and his wife each owning 40%. His business expertise is as good as his horticulture sense. Now he, his wife and I own a successful, profitable business.”

“When I called Jose this morning, I told him I was bringing a friend of my grandson to tour the business. I asked him to consider offering a summer position to Rick, if he believed the young man was qualified. I don’t know if Rick has any interest in horticulture employment, but if he does, he could live in the lake house. You had not indicated interest in the lifeguard position until this morning. Having two handsome young men living at the lake house this summer would be wonderful.”

“Granddad, if we were not in a public place, I would give you a hearty hug. Wow, thank you! I planned to ask for help with the lifeguard application. I need an email address. Also, I don’t want correspondence from the DEEP (Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection) Park’s Division to be mailed to my home. What address should I use?”

“We’ll take care of the application this afternoon. Also, you need a cell phone. There is a T-Mobile store just down the street. We can go there now. Also, you need a computer. If it is OK with you, I’m going to ask Mason to help you decide what you need and then purchase it and hopefully have it ready for you next weekend.”

“Oh, one other issue. I understand you had planned to have a kayaking and hiking adventure with Rick. With the garden center tour and other activities, you will not have time to hike to the top of Eagle Mountain. However, if you just want to lay in the sun and have a private conversation with Rick, there is a place you can kayak to in about ten minutes. There is a narrow, shallow inlet that leads to one of my favorite spots for contemplation. Rarely does anyone go there. Without knowing the entrance to the path, it is difficult to hike there, as the private place is surrounded by a swampy marsh. Power boats cannot go through the channel, so, even on a summer day. it is almost always private. It is a great place to lay in the sun and think about life.  The entrance to the inlet is easily located, as there is a large weeping willow on each side. I am positive Rick will identify the trees.”

Back at the garden center both Rick and Jose were enjoying the tour. Jose was impressed with Rick’s horticulture knowledge as they discussed the suitability of various plants and trees in different Connecticut environments (dry / wet, northern or southern exposure, sunny / shady, rocky / hilly / flat, etc.). As their conversation and tour ended, Rick received a text message. He was surprised at the message: ‘Hi, my new phone, Matt.’ Rick replied, ‘Our tour and discussion is over.’

As soon as an enthusiastic Rick got into the car, he thanked Tom for the introduction. “I really enjoyed my visit with Jose. The garden center is awesome. When I was younger, my mother dragged me to numerous centers. Now I go willingly. Jose’s is one of the best I have ever seen. And, the best part is, he asked if I would like to work there this summer!”

Matt could not hold back, “That would be wonderful. If I get the lifeguard position, we could live together in the lake house. Would your father permit you to leave home?”

Rick replied, “My dad is not like yours. I am sure he would approve. However, I want his opinion and hope he will come to the lake and meet Jose.”

Since it was past lunch time and Tom knew Matt wanted a kayak adventure with Rick, he suggested, “I’m starved. Let’s stop at McDonald’s for a quick lunch. Then, you boys can have fun in the sun.”

As Matt and Rick carried kayaks from the garage to the lake house beach, Matt told his friend, “Granddad told me about a place we can kayak to that is private. We can just lay in the sun and contemplate life. It is off of an inlet that is too shallow for power boats. The entrance has weeping willows on each side. I have no idea what that tree is, but Granddad said, you would know.”

As they kayaked along the shore, Rick announced, “There are the willows.”