No Better Version of Me Than When I'm With You

Chapter 7

He plucked one from it and held it up, waiting for Newt to do the same. As if on cue, they popped the tomatoes into their mouths at the same time. They burst with flavor, far more than anything store bought. These were true, homegrown tomatoes.

"Oh my god. They're amazing." Newt said, reaching for another one. Thomas looked over to see utter joy and pride making his face glow. Newt met his gaze and held it. He smiled and leaned in to nudge his shoulder with his own.

"Store bought don't even hold a candle to these, seriously." Thomas reached for another one. It was just as good as the last, tasting like concentrated summer sun and the care that went into growing them. "I think I'm going to eat the whole bowl, if you don't take them away from me." He laughed, reaching out again. Newt picked up the bowl and held it out of reach, eyes glinting.

"Let's save some for the salad, Tommy." Newt said, voice warm and light.

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After the success of their first harvest, the rainstorm that came at the end of July was a shock to them both. Thomas discovered it was raining when he got off work, having gotten out early for once. Driving home was a nightmare with people unaccustomed to such weather, and the rain made the roads slick. He was worried he wouldn't even make it at all, but he did. At home, he was dismayed to discover the state of the garden. It was flooded, the soil of the plants a good inch or more under water and only rising steadily. He'd never realized it before, but their backyard was in a bit of a low spot, so all of the rain collected right where the garden was. It didn't help that the soil, unused to such heavy rain, was washing away rapidly and loosening the plants out of their spots.

Horror dawned on Thomas as he realized what was going to happen - they were going to lose the garden. Thanks to the rain and the flooding, all of the hard work Newt had put into it would be destroyed. Their crops, which had just been beginning to flourish, were taking a beating. For several minutes Thomas just stood at the sliding glass door, watching the rain fall and the wind lash and the tide rise before he snapped into action. He had to do something - he couldn't just let Newt come home to a destroyed garden, it would crush him. Especially after the afternoon he would be having, given that it was a Wednesday which meant he had therapy that day and usually came home somewhat emotionally drained.

A lightbulb went off a moment later and he reached for his phone. He sent a text to Brenda, asking if she could pick him up some cherry tomatoes, and the smallest zucchini she could find. When she asked why, he said he'd explain when she got there, and he waited anxiously for her to arrive, eyes flicking to the clock. He was cutting it close, it was four thirty and Newt got out of therapy at five, then it usually took him about twenty minutes to get home. Brenda told him she was on his way, but nerves bunched in his stomach until she arrived.

"You're a lifesaver, Bren." Thomas said in relief, taking the bag of produce from her as she walked inside looking confused.

"I'd love to know how me going out in this record-breaking rainstorm to grab a tomato for you qualifies as lifesaving." She replied with a slight chuckle. He could feel her eyes on his back as he moved into the kitchen, grabbing a strainer and dumping the cherry tomatoes and the zucchini into it before running them under the kitchen faucet. He ensured there were no stickers left on the produce, and tossed the plastic container for the cherry tomatoes into the trash.

"The garden is flooded." Thomas answered shortly, glancing up at her. Even in her short time outside, she was already wet from the rain. He set the strainer down on the counter, still dripping wet, and gestured for Brenda to follow him. He pointed out the back door. "See?"