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"Welcoloom" Dashay had come up behind me

We sat on a black iron bench and listened to the fountain I was rehter," arden of jewel-like, poisonous plants

Yet I found this garden’s darkness curiously co "Why did you plant it?" I asked

"I’d read about gothic gardens Two or three hundred years ago, if you lost soarden, and when you sat in it, you did yourYou have to let yourself mourn, Ariella"

"Did someone you loved die?"

"I lost my parents and my first love, all in the same bad year" Her eyes were like amber, translucent yet clouded "That happened back in Jao"

She looked from the fountain to me "But you don’t want to hear that story now Afterward I saved ht o to that place Gangs of ht and left, cos And they’re into that blood-doping thing -- they steal blood from hospitals and blood banks and inject theot vamped

"I didn’t like that scene, so I headed north, looking for a place where folks would leave me be That’s how I found ’Sassa and met your mother" She smiled "Sara’s been my best friend ever since that first day we met at Flo’s Place We were both down on our luck, but ere feisty, and we trusted each other We pooled e had, and we built Blue Beyond Hard work brings rewards, honey"

Dashay had survived more heartbreak than I’d encountered Yet I felt a little jealous of her I inhaled the spicy scents of the black snapdragons, wondering if I’d ever again have a best friend

After I found the garden of gloom, I spent less time in bed I joined Mãe and Dashay, and sometimes Bennett, for meals in the kitchen I didn’t talk much, but at least I was able to eat Inside, I still felt nu a snack -- slices of honeycomb, cheese, and apples -- when Mãe came in, papers in her hand Her friends had sent new pictures of rave This time we could see the bottle clearly -- a bottle of Picardo, half full, next to three long-sterave," Mãe said "You know, the cognac and the roses"

I didn’t understand

"Every year on January 19 -- Poe’s birthday -- sorave in Baltimore," she said

"I’ve heard about that," Dashay said "Very mysterious"

My mother said, "Not really Members of the Poe Society do it They take turns Raphael was a member and he did it hiuess keeping the secret doesn’t n," I said "It means he’s still alive Father said that Poe was one of us"

They looked at me with pity, and I didn’t want to see it "What else did you find out?" I said "Did Dennis sign the death certificate?"

"No," she said "It was signed by Dr Grahaine a scenario in which Dennis signed it, helping an to waver

"Ariella," she said "I’m sorry to disappoint you"

"My father wasn’t seeing Dr Wilson" I crossed my arms "My father never went to any doctor"

Mãe and Dashay exchanged glances After a few seconds, Dashay said, "Find out about Dr Wilson It won’t hurt to ask"

My mother shook her head, but she went back to her computer Dashay handedthe horses out?"

I knew she was trying to distract me, but what of it I’d brood as we rode

When we came back from our ride (Dashay on Abiaka, me on Johnny Cypress), alked the horses around the paddock to cool therain and water

Mãe sat on the front porch, waiting for us I studied her face and tried to hear her thoughts, but nothing caave me

It was a copy of an email: "Sara, No probleent, and she said the house’s contents are in storage Apparently the will leaves everything to your daughter, and the executor is Dennis McGrath Don’t you know hie, if you want me to call him There was some buzz when Ariella didn’t show up for the funeral, but it’s died do Sullivan handled the arrange else XO, Marian

"PS Didn’t you ever uy Good doctor One of us"

I sent ht: Maybe

We didn’t agree on what to do next I wanted to head for Saratoga Springs, talk to Dennis and Dr Wilson Mãe said that wasn’t wise Michael had told her about Agent Burton (they’d had quite a talk, she said), and eren’t going to take any chances

"Then you should go," I said