With the arrival of spring, my parents decided it was time to sell the plot of land. They were getting on in years and their health wasnt what it used to be, so tending to the garden was simply too much for them. My eldest daughter was busy raising her own children and working full-time; she couldnt spare any time to help out. After much deliberation, my parents finally made up their minds.
My daughter Emily, the eldest, felt a huge sense of reliefit meant she wouldnt be expected to drop everything and lend a hand again. Finding time to help out with the vegetable garden had never been easy, especially since it required a long commute. Emily had often told my parents to sell the place. If they wanted, they could buy a plot closer to home. She didnt want to spend all her free hours weeding and working. She dreamt more of a spot for reading or picnickinga place to unwind. As for me, I used the garden for making preserves.
Weekends flew by for Emily and her husband. Between work and caring for the kids, there were barely a spare moment for household chores. Her husbands job was such that he could be called in, even on weekends. Emily knew all too well that the plot brought more trouble than respite. After a long weekend spent gardening, a few days of proper rest would have been rather welcome.
Emily was pleased when the land was sold. For several years, life became much more peaceful. Eventually, though, she began to miss having a place to relax outdoors. She started to dream again of a plot where she could spend some quiet afternoons. Her husband suggested buying one themselves.
Work schedules improved, and weekends could finally be spent enjoying the countryside and fresh aira real boon for the children as well. They decided they didnt want extensive plantations: just a few trees and berry bushes to provide the kids with some vitamins. Emily made it clear to her parents that the new garden would be for recreation onlyno weeding, no vegetable beds. Everyone loved the idea. The only thing left was to choose the right plot.
They looked at a number of options, and ended up finding the ideal spot: a nice small house and just the right amount of greenery. The seller was an elderly man, John, whose wife had passed away. He didnt tend the garden anymore, so he decided to let it go.
Everything was sorted quickly. Emily was over the moonher long-held wish had come true. The house was quaint and comfortable, needing no immediate repairs. They decided to start improvements in the summer, and they did just that.
Their first week was peaceful. Then John, the former owner, started dropping round, saying he needed to pick up the last of his belongings. No one minded, but he started to make complaints. First about the bushes theyd removed, claiming they were only dead wood, then about the calla lilies hed planted years ago which Emily had dug up.
John insisted that such things hadnt been part of the sale agreement. He and his late wife had planted that bush decades ago, and he argued the berry bushes were still needed. Then he noticed the strawberry patch had been replaced with ornamental stones.
John began inspecting the whole garden, always finding something to criticise. In the end, Emilys husband couldnt stand it anymore and spoke up, pointing out that they’d paid good money for the plotit was now legally their property, and they could choose to manage it as they wished.
After all, the contract made no mention of the previous owner retaining any say in what happened to the land. If it had, they would never have agreed to the sale. John left, but returned the next day with another bush in hand, determined to plant it where he wanted.
Emilys husband asked what was going on, and John offered to refund their money if he could keep the plot himself. They refused, but he planted the bush anyway. Shortly after, a neighbour arrived, surprised to see John still hanging about. John started moaning about the new owners. The neighbour sided with Emily and her husband, telling John they had every right to do as they pleased, though it was hard to get the message across.
A little later, that neighbour confided that since Johns wife had passed away, hed quarrelled with almost everyone on the street. His behaviour was peculiar, and it was clear they wouldnt have peace for a whilehe kept coming back. The neighbour offered to speak to the authorities and explain the situation to John.
While they were having the conversation, John managed to plant another bush and leave quietly. He continued popping back to collect more things and meddle with the property, then vanish again.
One morning, Emilys husband, who worked for a construction company, told his colleagues about their troubles. They explained the plot had been bought, fair and square. Still, they didnt hesitate to help, erecting a proper fence. John disappeared for several days, but when he returned, he discovered he couldnt simply wander onto the land anymore.
He cursed, tried walking round, then went to the council, who were already aware that John was preventing the new owners from enjoying their property. I dont know what they told him, but after their visit, John only returned oncefor his remaining belongings.
