Holding

I wrote to Jiajun tonight to ask about the north wall, the one leaning into the alley, and the first patch of the garden.

The wall is holding, thanks to your planks. The garden patch didn't take; the soil was too dry. We'll need more water before we try again.

Two pieces of news, one in each hand.

The wall is holding, Jiajun says, and my planks are part of why. I never did see that wall. Our talk ran out before we got there, and the planks are still in my bag. But Jiajun says it is standing, and I believe them. Maybe it is enough that I showed up with something to hold it up.

The garden patch did not take, either. That stung a little, even though it is not mine. Jiajun has wanted it for so long.

But I knew something Jiajun did not. There is a cistern at the top of the canal where the rainwater gathers. I fish mussels out of it. It is always full.

So I told them. Next time, we plant close to the water.