Chapter 1
Veda's POV:
My sister, Ann Bellamy, is endlessly creative and full of bright ideas. The only problem is, everything she messes around with belongs to me.
Mom and Dad dote on her and let her get away with anything.
"Learn a little something from Ann, you're far too serious all the time."
Even when I talked to my boyfriend, Lyndon Ashford, about how hurt and frustrated I was, he just told me to be more understanding and let it go.
There's only one place I've never allowed any of them to go near: the small garden plot I'd turned into a planting bed in the backyard.
I study agricultural science, and every vegetable I grow there is part of a major research and breeding program.
I guarded it as carefully as I could, but my sister still set her sights on it. To her, nothing belongs to anyone, everything is just a blank space waiting for her wild, imaginative ideas.
First, my young seedlings died because a dog relieved itself all over them.
Then people picked my ripening fruits and vegetables just so she could post them online and get more likes and followers.
As Halloween got closer, she fixed her attention on one huge pumpkin growing right by the garden wall.
What she doesn't know is that this single pumpkin is the only surviving specimen from a nationally registered breeding project.
*****
It was just getting dark when my sister led her pet dog, Sunny, outside.
I looked out the window and saw her creeping around near my garden, acting very suspicious.
"Why does Ann always let her dog hang around the garden?"
Mom spoke sharply, "Veda Bellamy, You put up netting to keep your own family out, what more do you want?"
They did never see the value in the field I love. I've always loved growing things, whatever I plant thrives, people used to say I had a natural gift for it.
I was the one who cleared that neglected little garden bit by bit, all on my own.
Pulling weeds, turning the soil, adding fertilizer, sowing seeds, not a single person ever offered to help.
I pointed at the vegetables on the table. "The food I grew up with ends up on our plates, doesn't it? I keep you out because I don't want anything to get ruined . . ."
"Your research project." Mom cut me off, sounding annoyed. "I know, I know." She gave me a sharp look. "Veda, you spend all your time on these silly little projects. Ann studies finance, she'll have a nice office job and a proper career."
Dad nodded in agreement. "The stock Ann recommended went up and made a fortune. What are a few measly vegetables compared to that?"
I said nothing, keeping a close watch on the dark figure outside. After a while, she finally walked away.
Dad scoffed. "Veda, you're just seeing things."
Then something felt wrong. I ran outside right away. The lock on the garden gate was still in place. I went over to the spot where my sister had been standing.
I knelt down and sniffed the air, and my heart sank. There was an almost 8-inch gap along the fence.
Right on the young greens growing close to the edge, I smelled it: strong, sharp urine. Dog urine. I grabbed the hose and sprayed it down immediately.
Dog urine has very high levels of nitrogen. Young plants can't handle that, it burns them. But it was too late.
The greens wilted right in front of my eyes.
Just then, I heard Ann laughing with Lyndon, my childhood friend and boyfriend.
I spoke to her coldly, "Ann, why did you let your dog pee in my garden?"
Ann sounded completely innocent, "I heard dog pee can be used as fertilizer! It's all part of nature's cycle, isn't that beautiful?"
Lyndon smiled fondly and patted her head. "Ann always has such wonderful, creative ideas."
"I told you not to go near my garden! Too much nitrogen will kill the baby plants!"
Lyndon spoke up before she could answer. "How can you talk to Ann like that? She was only trying to help. Can't you see that?"
Ann's voice went soft and hurt. "I'm sorry… I thought I was doing something nice…"
It was as if I was the one being unreasonable. Mom and Dad heard the noise and went outside to take her side.
"Why are you always picking on her?" Mom said, turning it all around on me.
I was furious. "She's the one who keeps ruining my things!"
Dad cleared his throat, his face stern. "She meant well. Can't you be the bigger person here?"
I bit my lip, fighting back tears. "These are new, specially bred plants! There aren't many seeds to start with!"
Mom pulled Ann close. "Ann just has a special eye for the little wonders of nature."
Dad shook his head. "What's the point of all your schooling if you act like this? It's just a few vegetables. Plant some more. It's not the end of the world."
Lyndon looked at me, disappointed. "Veda, you never used to be so unkind, so quick to get upset over nothing."
I watched the four of them walk away, and all the hurt I'd been holding inside settled heavy in my chest.
