A black girl has lost her memory and is trapping working in a strange garden for Mother Bea, her captor. Despite her memory loss, the girl randomly remembers certain names, like Gramma Augusta, and she uses her own blood to secretly record these spurts of memory on the wall behind her bedframe. Mother Bea consistently insists on brushing the girl's hair so that it may be straight. One day, the girl asks if she can play in the garden. Mother Bea allows her to play, as long as she is watched by the bees. Mother Bea also warns the girl not to trust the flowers, who often lie. The flowers in the garden speak to the girl, telling her stories that help her regain her memory. She learns that her real name is Cleopatra "Cleo" Khadija Arceneaux, and she lived with her grandmother Augusta before she was kidnapped. Cleo tells Mother Bea that she is leaving, and the bees around her buzz angrily. Mother Bea warns Cleo that the world outside is an unkind place for black girls, and says that in here, Cleo can learn magical gardening powers. Cleo determinedly leaves anyway, busting through the gate and not turning back.