02 - Stay Out of the Basement (10 page)

By the end of the week, most of the plants had been destroyed. A giant pile
of leaves, roots, and stalks were burned in a bonfire that lasted for hours. A
few tiny plants had been transplanted outside. All of the equipment had been
dismantled and trucked to the university.

On Saturday, all four Brewers went to select a pool table for the new
basement rec room. On Sunday, Margaret found herself standing in back by the
garden, staring up at the golden hills.

It’s so peaceful now, she thought happily.

So peaceful here. And so beautiful.

The smile faded from her face when she heard the whisper at her feet.
“Margaret.”

She looked down to see a small yellow flower nudging her ankle.

“Margaret,” the flower whispered, “help me. Please—help me. I’m your
father. Really! I’m your real father.”

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