She holds out whatever fell from the card. “Here.” Instead of taking it from her fingers, I hold out my palm, not wanting to risk another stupid reaction to her touch. She drops a tiny, black object in my hand. “It’s a seed,” she says, speaking slowly like she thinks I won’t understand. “I’ve heard of seeds. And what am I supposed to do with it?” Winnie throws her hands up, and I bite back a smile at how flustered she is. “Plant it! Throw it away! Eat it. I don’t care. It was a gesture. Clearly a misguided one. Whatever. Forget the whole thing and tell me what I’m supposed to do—job
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