~hugs you~ Thank you so much! You know this story would never have come to life without your help, don't you? :-)
Once again, I adore the way you see the story and analyze it. I especially like what you say about her coming to grips with both her flaws and her potential, because yes, that's exactly what I had in mind. She's well-acquainted with her flaws, even if she tries to ignore thinking about them, but I think her potential scared her even more--the potential to feel, to be in love, to be foolishly, frivolously happy. I think that for many years, she chose to feel nothing at all, rather than take such a risk. You're right about Toby, too--he doesn't have that same fear of appearing foolish, and I suspect that's one reason why Eileen is so attracted to him
the grumpy but protective semi-sentient house that slowly relents and finally allows some plants to grow in the garden.
Great catch! Yes, that's it: the house has finally allowed the plants to flourish, which really means that Eileen has relented, because the house is so intimately reflective of its people.
Thanks again for all your lovely comments, both here and in the earlier stages. They're priceless.