Maria and the Tree

Nobody knew how the tree got started in the bleak, dusty little courtyard, but it soon became the most important thing in Maria's life. Important enough to devote part of her water ration to its growth--even important enough to commit fraud for extra water to keep it alive. She's taking a dreadful risk for every cupful or water she gives the tree ....

Thoughts

This was just a short story, but since I bought it from Fictionwise as a separate item, it sort of counts as a book.

This was good; sad, bittersweet, grim, but also, in the words of B5 "renewal disguised as defeat"; just a teeny bit of hope.