Reason, I told myself, is a compliment wrapped in a lie. To lure Kara’s talented gardener’s hands into my yard, I’ve committed myself to this new friendship, while my yard takes on an attractive shape. In truth, Kara talks too much at the most inappropriate times, and constantly clicks her tongue against her teeth. The irritating sound a perfect match to a lovelorn bird in heat.

I counted myself quite cleaver to invite Kara for tea and dainty cucumber sandwiches in my shabby backyard. The tangle of honeysuckle all but strangled the porch rail, a limp pink dogwood tree, an overgrown purple rhododendron, and had begun to encroach on the small iron table and matching chairs, laden with the lunch for my honored guest. The yard at least smelled wonderfully sweet, to the point of nauseousness.

Always punctual, Kara slipped through my back gate and let out a gasp equal a sudden hurricane. She set her hands together and clicked her tongue. The itch to start digging in my soil before a sandwich reached her loquacious lips ignited a ripple of excitement up my spine. I squeezed between two overgrown azaleas, hopped over a fern big enough to engulf a small child, and greeted her with a wave and a warm smile. Her gaze zipped around my yard and scoured the jungle-like space in wild-eyed horror. I wondered how many luncheons, get-together’s, and words of praise, would be necessary to feed her creative talents in the transformation of my chaotic disaster zone into a place soaked in relaxation and serenity.

With the insouciant raise of my shoulders I pointed a nonchalant and carefree finger at the table almost lost beyond the sea of dandelions, clover, and queen Anne’s lace poking up throughout the brick pathway. A blackberry vine grabbed Kara’s leg before she reached her chair. Her tongue clicked double time. I shrugged and shoved a branch from the stubborn overgrown maple tree from her face.

Kara took a deep breath and parted her lips. If the offer to tidy and re-landscape my yard came right now, I’ve already planned to dismiss the idea with the wave of my hand, until she offers a second time. I swallowed hard. The patient wait for Kara’s announcement tightened every nerve.

She grabbed a sandwich with a shaky hand. Her excitement had surged. How odd for Kara to remain so quiet. She took a bite and began to chew. Inside, my heart thumped against my ribs. Three lumps of sugar in her tea washed down the last of her sandwich, with the aid of both hands to steer the cup to her mouth. Her exhilaration left her giddy. The thumping intensified. My rib cage cried for relief.

Her lips parted again. I clutched my middle to fight the beats banging double time in my chest. Another sandwich invaded her mouth. A second cup of tea followed. She still hadn’t utter a word.

At her third reach for a sandwich Kara winced and clicked her tongue in loud overtones shrouded with pain. She rubbed her shaking wrist. A tear dropped onto her plate. The jolt of my heart shifted to a slower, heavy beat. My anxious soul sidestepped the anticipated dance of joy and fell in a heap under a dark cloud of defeat. Hope had taken flight and run away with the words I’d waited for Kara to speak.