Two summers ago, Joe Marino started sharing a bed with Alexandra, leading to an unexpected abundance in her garden. The plants thrived under the southwestern sun, with twisted tomato branches bearing an overwhelming crop. This surge of growth seemed desperate, echoing the eager, fragile nature of children. The sheer volume of fruit suggested both vitality and a tendency towards decay.

As Alexandra picked the ripe, watery tomatoes, she experienced a peculiar mix of sensations, likening the act to grasping a lover's intimate parts. The relationship between the fruit's human-like qualities and her own emotional landscape highlights a deeper connection to themes of fertility and vulnerability in the narrative.