Summary

Chapter 17 - Bernie decides to spend the day with her mother. When she gets there, Darleen is once again missing. Bernie goes into her room and sees that, as she suspected, the room is trashed. The only area that is kept pristine is Darleen's art space. The carefully placed pots of supplies and art items are out of place against the disheveled look of the rest of the room. Bernie closes the door.

Darleen soon returns, and Bernie is upset to find that Darleen drove home completely intoxicated. Darleen only lingers for a few moments before a friend, Charlie Zah, comes to pick her up. Bernie’s mother is upset at how angry Darleen always is, and urges Bernie to help her.

Bernie spends the rest of the day doing research on the pots that have been appraised so low. She is starting...