Part One: November 3, 2001, Death Day I look out my window. The clouds are dark. Raindrops cover over the glass. Everything gets blurry. I can only see faint globs of green. I look ahead of me. I feel a hand pat me on the knee. "It's gonna be alright, Dee." I nod slightly. My mom says just because dad died at the worst possible moment doesn't mean that we can't get through the winter. But I disagree. Dad should have told us about the recent drug run-in. Witness protection my butt. The FBI said that my dad didn't have anything to do with the money coming in. He was just there at the right place and the right time but they couldn't get him out. So really, my dad's agency is responsible for his death. When my mom parks the car, China runs to greet me. I open the door, but don't get out. I reach down to pet my Yorkie. I turn to mom and blink, tears filling up my eyes again. Mom nods. "I'll give you some time alone. Come in when you feel better." Mom gets out and walks to the front door. China turns her head slightly and it seems like she wants to follow. But she stays with me. I pick her up to my lap and just cry into the curly fur. It's still soft from her bath two days ago. She smells like a strawberry smoothie, even though her shampoo smells like grapes and cherries. China squirms in my arms. I let go of my tight hold on her body, but she doesn't go anywhere. She just lays on my lap, breathing softly. I keep crying. I don't know how long I've been out there but the rain gets harder and colder. My jeans are getting soaked. I reach out and open the car door wider. I set China down and she runs ahead of me. When I get to the front door, Mom opens it before I have a chance to reach for the handle. "Kristy called. So did Matt and Dave. Logan left a message. I told them that you'd call them when you're ready." I nod. I run upstairs to my bedroom. China runs after me. I let her climb on my bed. When I sit down, my phone beeps. I pick it up. Text Message: From: Kirsty To: Deanna Subject: Feel better J What's up, Dee? U wanna come over? Have u talked to Zayn? He asked me to call u. He's back in town. Idk if thats good or bad. Tell me if u need anything. OKay. Thx for being strong. love u. Bye... JY I don't feel like replying. Zayn shouldn't be around these days. Last time I heard, he got a girl pregnant. I walk around in the rain, in the backyard. I go through our large landscaped flower garden. Rose bushes lined the path of "cracked" stepping stones. Orchids of pink, white, and red colorings, lined up behind them. My hobby was landscaping. I love it. Lilacs and Tulips are scattered around between Violets. Daffodils and Daisy's aline the outer edges of my koi pond. It's a beauty from above. On the left, you can see Mimosa on the outer edges of the small waterfall. The lights behind the waterfall make the water glisten. I don't know why people hate landscaping. Sure, it is a hastle, but the outcome is gorgeous. I wake down the path, as it swirls to a stop. The oak trees and ferns in between stand out against the black stone wall. Red bark is scattered around the plants. My garden is the best in town. I hear footsteps behind me. I turn, but no one is there.