Seedfolks

On the last day of school, Virgil’s father, a Haitian immigrant and former bus driver, sees men cleaning the lot. Virgil’s father, who asks all his passengers for advice about getting rich, comes up with a scheme to grow baby lettuce to sell to fancy restaurants. On the first day of summer break, Virgil’s father wakes him and takes him to work the lot. As they dig, they pull up buried garbage, including a heart-shaped locket. Virgil keeps the locket, though he doesn’t know why. He and his father create six plots, using more space than anyone else.

As they work, Virgil spies his third-grade teacher, Miss Fleck, who comments sarcastically about their use of space. Virgil feels ashamed, but his father says they are gardening not only for themselves but also for family members who have no tools. Virgil realizes that his father is lying; many of the relatives he names still live in Haiti. Virgil has never seen an adult lie and worries about the outcome. Miss Fleck disbelieves them but leaves anyway. Virgil plants the tiny lettuce seeds.

Because he is home during the day, Virgil tends the lettuce.