59

Manuel is surprised to see him. Jacob never walks past the garage. He always wondered why Jacob is never interested in sightseeing. The one time he walked around the entire perimeters was to learn the ins and outs of the Rodriguez residence as part of his job requirements. He has probably learnt it by heart now.

"I am just hanging in here. What brings you to the gardening grounds today? You never stray too far from the house grounds." Manuel comments. Jacob looks surprised, he did not think anyone took notice.

"How did you… you know what, never mind. I need you to go back to the house." He orders with a gruff voice. Manuel looks confused.

"Why should I do that? The boss sent you?" Manuel asks with a questioning look on his face. Jacob realizes he can not lie his way out of this one because Manuel will ask for a reason behind this order. He has to explain the situation to him completely.

"Someone shot at the doors, probably targeting Mia. I came here with a red light aiming at my chest. They thought I was walking towards them but I took a detour down here. Take the same route and throw them off. Head to the house and warn the guys while I go find out who is in that van." He speaks in low tones so as not to attract the attention of the gardener. The gardener is an old man who speaks to his flowers like they are his young children. He appears frail but shows up everyday to till the ground and plant new seeds or water the flowers or feed his fruit trees some manure.

"Are you with an extra weapon in there?" Manuel asks, looking at Jacob's waist. Jacob gives him a funny look.

"You have to be joking. You do not have any weapon on you? Not even a pocket knife?" Jacob asks, it almost sounds ridiculous to him. How would one be working for a Mafia Lord and not be armed every hour of the day, even in your sleep.

"Hey, don't look at me like that. It is not my fault. Pa Rico does not approve of people walking into his garden with weapons." He raises hands as though to justify his actions. The gardener turns around with a pair of shears between his gloved hands and a straw hat on his head. His apron has a sign that says Pa Rico but the print is peeling off and the words are barely recognizable.

"The garden is a place for life. Not for the shedding of blood. Not for the taking away of life. Not for violence. In the garden, there is equality and a balance of powers. These roots here teach us the best lessons in empathy. The least we can do is to keep the violence away." The gardener speaks at length. He is one of those regular, wise, old men who dish out pieces of wisdom anytime they decide to speak.

"Well, I will be damned. That has to be the only time I ever heard Pa Rico speak this long. And trust me, I have been here for a while. How did you do it?" Manuel has a glint in his eye, like that of a child waiting to hear a bedtime story. Jacob taps his back and Manuel finds a scowl on his face.

"I understand this place is peaceful and great. But I really need you to hit the ground and walk home as quick as you can. Hold their attention but do not for a second throw a glance at them." Jacob warns and then hands over his Glock gun to Manuel. Manuel walks out of the garden and heads to the house with a spring to his step.

Jacob looks at the old man who has returned to his work on the dark rich soil. His hair is more salt than pepper and a bald patch is beginning to appear right in the center of his head. Jacob turns to leave and remembers he has no weapons on him. He had assumed that he had his knives when he gave Manuel his gun,now he realizes he is not wearing the jacket that has his knives.

"Shit. What was I thinking?" He curses at himself and realizes he could be endangering his life if he steps out without any form of self protection.

"Uhm, Rico…" he says in a low voice, he is not familiar with this man so he dies not feel slightly comfortable around him. The old man does not take his attention away from the the soil he is working on.

"Pa Rico." He says in response. He is correcting Jacob who is referring to him on a first name basis. He feels like it is disrespectful, hence the correction.

"Sorry. Pa Rico, do you have anything I could borrow here? A sickle, maybe? Knives? Anything sharp and deadly?" He asks, his tone going slightly playful. The old man still does not give him his attention, Jacob is slowly becoming infuriated. He does not have the time for whatever this old man is playing around with. It could be cow's dung for all he knew, Jacob thinks.

"The garden does not believe in violence. The raw dissemination of soul from flesh. The garden will not help you unless you are in need." The old man seems to be speaking in parables and Jacob moves the weight of his body from one leg to the other. The garden can not help him unless he is in need. What does that even mean?

"What are you saying? I can not deal with this right now." He almost yells in frustration. His mind begins to dissect the old man's statement until he finally gets it. A light bulb flashes bright in his mind. The garden will not help him unless he is in need. The garden is a place for life. The garden does not stand for killing. His life is priority.

"I need to save my life. I need protection." Jacob blurts out.