The Secret Code of Father’s Plants

Summary

After my father’s casket was lowered into the earth, my best friend, Nora, wrapped her arms around my shaking shoulders.

"Before he passed, Arthur told you not to forget to water the plants," she whispered, her voice thick with sympathy. "Kate, he wanted you to keep going. He wanted you to live a good life."

My blood ran entirely cold.

My father had a severe pollen allergy. We had never kept a single green thing in our house, let alone flowers or plants.

Years ago, he and I had agreed on a secret code. If either of us were ever in immediate, life-threatening danger, we would use the…