Epilogue

Jess’s grave is the only one surrounded by cherry blossoms.

“I thought they were a nice touch,” Jess says, appearing next to me.

“A little show-offy, don’t you think?” I reply.

“That was the point!”

Of course it was.

“Look at me, Dom,” she says, raising her arms to create waterfalls of sunshine. “I’m not exactly subtle.”

I don’t care if anyone’s looking; I don’t care if anyone sees me and thinks I’ve lost my mind. I tuck my arm inside Jess’s and watch as her sunlight dances and sparkles all around us. Together we laugh like the girls we used to be, even though we’ll never be those same girls again.

Where this curse will lead me, I have no idea. It’s already brought me to places I never conceived existed, and now that I’m determined to find out who really killed my father, I can’t imagine where it will take me next. The bad news: I don’t know how much longer I can keep the lid of the honey jar screwed on tight to prevent the honey inside from being scooped out and devoured. I don’t know what other secrets I’ll need to uncover or what obstacles I’ll be challenged to overcome, but against all odds I won’t be taking this journey alone. Because there’s good news too: All my invisible strings are intact.

I carry my parents’ love with me every day, especially my father’s. Caleb and Archie have both proven I can trust them with my life, and Arla’s stood by me, although she has every reason to hate me, and has even become a surrogate big sister to Barnaby. The jury’s still deliberating on the fate of the bee and the butterfly—Nadine and Napoleon—but for now I consider them friends.

My friends. A group that thankfully still includes Jess as its president and now its guiding light. A group committed to helping me and traveling with me wherever this curse may lead us. It’s totally subarashi.

“Remember, Dominy . . .” Jess starts.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” I reply. “I’m blessed.”

And finally, I am starting to believe it.