The Loneliest Number

Description

Christine, a weary looking woman in her 50s, trundles into a posh, picturesque looking neighbourhood. As she enters, she can see the beginnings of construction on a security station and gate that will turn the area into a gated community. Christine is a little alarmed by this and even more self-conscious about being there but pushes forward. She looks incredibly determined. Behind her she drags a trolley full to the brim with plants and a variety of gardening tools, the trolley squeaks, and rattles as she moves. Christine comes to s stop when she reaches a small, unremarkable patch of land, the kind that plays host to the weird external electricity box that says \"Danger. High Voltage\". Satisfied that she has reached her intended destination, she immediately starts to unpack her trolley. The gardening begins with much digging and scraping. Ama, a new mother, is inside her home. She has just rocked her newborn to sleep and is on the verge of nodding off herself when she hears Christine\'s commotion from outside. Desperate to not wake her baby, Ama confronts Christine. At first Christine is gruff with Ama, determined not to be distracted from her task, but when Ama confides that she is a new mother and just wants some sleep, Christine softens. Seeing the worn-out new mum, Christine shares motherhood tips, telling Ama she has been there too. The women begin to talk. Ama, delighted to have someone to talk to dominates the conversation not noticing Christine never goes into too much detail about her own life. Over the course of two weeks, the garden Christine is creating takes shape, the women\'s friendship develops....and the security gate is completed. When Christine returns one day to find the gate locked and a bullish Security Guard manning the entrance, she is shocked. She had become comfortable in the area, especially with Ama, and has left her gardening materials there, but more upsetting to her is the fact she has not completed the garden yet. Christine begs to be let in, but the Security Guard is unmoved. When the Guard is distracted, Christine scales the gate, rushing to Ama\'s front door when the Guard gives chase. Ama vouches for her friend and a relieved Christine returns to her gardening. Now Ama\'s interest is piqued. Remembering the morbid discovery on the exact location of the garden, Ama finally thinks she has put two and two together. She mentions the murdered young man who was found where Christine\'s garden is and how that resulted in residents asking for more security; Ama asks if it was Christine\'s son. Trapped, Christine confesses that her son was the young man\'s murderer; she is building the garden as a memorial because she feels to blame. Expecting Ama to be horrified, Christine is surprised when Ama hugs her and invites Christine into her home for the first time since they met.

Biblical Connection

Psalm 126 A song of ascents. 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.