“Aqua Tofana?” Raine asks, holding up a green glass vial. “Wasn’t that a poison women used to kill their abusive husbands?”
I grin. “Just my idea of a little joke. I love that you got the reference.” Raine is really well-read.
“I want to hear the story,” Honey says.
Raine tells her about Giulia Tofana, the early 17th-century poisoner who sold a mixture of arsenic and belladonna to her clients.
“She was a supervillain,” I say. “I want to be like her when I grow up.”
“She wasn’t a villain,” Raine says. “She helped women escape their abusive husbands. There was no divorce in Italy. The systems were unjust, and she just balanced the scales.”
“Yeah, some men are just asking to be poisoned.” I think of the Vesuvio brothers.
“So wait, did you create these?” Honey asks, sifting her hand through the samples.
“Most of them. A few are just random extras the company must have added by accident. Like this.” I pluck out a small white packet that I noticed when I first opened the box. It’s actually a sample of oxytocin-based fertilizer. Papa and I have been experimenting with using oxytocin to stimulate plant growth. “Don’t know how that got in here. But everything else is fair game. Help yourself.”
They pick through the box. It’s early in the night, but I figure it’s as good a time as any to share my life update.
“So, I have news. I’m getting married.”
“What?” Honey and Raine say in unison.
“Yeah. It’s a long story.” I hold up the box mix I brought. “Can I tell it to you while we make brownies?”
“Yes!” Honey jumps up and leads us to the kitchen. It’s a long, low-ceilinged room with a stone floor and pistachio colored appliances.
“Do you want normal brownies or fun brownies?” I ask.
Raine narrows her eyes. “What does that mean?”
“My father owns lots and lots of farms. And greenhouses. We grow all sorts of plants.”
“Oh,” Honey says.
“So… weed.” Raine shrugs. “I’m down.”
I pull out my container of special butter. “YOLO.”
20
Sleepover 5:49 pm
* * *
The brownies are in the oven, and Honey is making popcorn on the stove.
“So you’re seriously getting married,” she says, shaking her head like she can’t believe it.
“My father says I have to do it. He’s in trouble. Everyone thinks he poisoned some mafia don. It’s a whole thing.” I wave my hand.
“Who do they think he poisoned?” Raine asks.
“His name is something cheesy… Alfredo.” I snap my fingers.
“Alfredo Vesuvio?” Honey glances at Raine. “Son of Dominus Vesuvio?”
“Yeah, that’s him.”
