She must decide she does, or at least, that she is going to risk it, because she steps back into the room. “Last night, you weren’t just sick. You were powerfully sick. Somehow, you managed to catch yourself a righteously, nasty bug. And I don’t know how long it would have plagued you had Grandma not stepped in.”
She takes several quick steps closer, leans toward me, and lowers her voice.
“But the magick has taken a toll on her. She won’t admit it, but I can see it and it isn’t good.”
“Did I hear my name come up in the conversation?”
My gaze snaps past Miri to Grandma who is now standing in the dining area threshold. Somewhere nearby, a buzz saw starts up, along with banging and loud voices… And a sharp pain to my skull.
Miri startles straight. “And so, it begins,” she says of the home construction project.
“How long will you have to put up with that?” I ask.
“Too long, I’m afraid,” Grandma responds.
“I need to get ready, so I’m going to let you get Belle up to speed on her condition and what you did for her last night.” Miri taps Grandma’s arm and heads out of the room, up the stairs.
“Okay, Grandma.” I tap my finger against the table, indicating the place beside me. It’s my way of saying join me. “Spill the beans.”
“Very well, dear. If I must.” She moves to the table and takes a seat. Pats my hand.
“I have this odd, fuzzy memory from last night, and I’m sure if it’s real or not.” I rub my head. “You didn’t really shove something down my throat, did you?”
“I’m sorry.” She squeezes my hand. “I know that was uncomfortable for you, but it had to be done. It was a potent magick that cleanses your system. I fear your condition would have worsened had I not recognized the signs.”
“The signs?” I say. “The signs seemed pretty on par with food poisoning.”
“Yes, well. Similar in many ways. Different in a few others.” She leans toward me. “You somehow managed to ingest a serious toxin. Do you have any idea where you might have picked up such a thing?”
In a flash, I am recalling my time with Luna, the cocoa we never ordered, the men watching us, and our quick departure. It was mere minutes before my stomach began to feel like someone was digging deep into my gut with a trowel.
“The bokor’s men, I think.” I frown. Drop my gaze to the table.
“The bokor?” Grandma’s back stiffens. “What are you doing having any involvement with him? He should not be any part of your life.”
“It’s not me, Grandma.” I raise my gaze to meet hers. “I think he has something on Luna’s dad. He sent his men after her, so maybe he’s trying to use her to get to her dad. I don’t rightly know yet.”
“That sweet girl you brought here has the bokor after her?” She pulls her hands into her lap.
“I believe so.” I fidget, rubbing my fingers across my thumb over and over.
“That’s not good. That’s not good at all.” With a frown firmly in place, she pins a tight stare on me. “You might want to steer clear of her.”
My mouth drops open, and my head jerks back. “What? Are you suggesting I abandon my friend in her time of need? I can’t do that.”
“For no other reason than your own safety.’” She reaches for my hand, and I pull away.
“I see I have upset you.” She stands and begins to pace. “But after all that has happened to this family, I do not believe I can withstand any more heartache or loss. So, I need you to be smart, and safe, and not take any reckless chances.”
I feel like she is making reference to things beyond the events of two years ago. Things that have to do with my father. But I don’t care about him. He was never there for me, and I can’t share her pain over his loss.
“I’ll try,” I say. “Smart is not always my default setting.” I shake my head and wipe the sweat from my brow.
Her hand drops on my shoulder. “Your body is still healing. You should be resting. By late this evening, you should once again be right as rain.”
“I want to feel that now,” I blurt.
“Some things cannot be rushed. Rest for now. We can talk all you want later, when you are feeling better.” She leads me to the stairs, clearly intending to usher me back to the bedroom.
“It sounds pretty noisy up there.” I tug toward the front room, away from the racket of men working, splitting the house into two. “Can I just crash in there?” I point to the sofa situated in front of the fireplace.
“You may crash anywhere you’d like in this house.”
“Thanks.” I meander over to the sofa and drop onto it like dead weight, curl in on my side, and close my eyes.
It’s Monday and I’m sick. I’m also across the Mississippi River from my coven meeting. I won’t see them today, and unless I gather the strength to call James, they won’t know why.
The phone rings. Grandma answers and murmurs several things I half hear. I twist and lean over the back of the sofa, peer through the adjoining room to where Grandma stands beside the phone.
“Calm down, Edith,” she says. “Belle is on the mend. She should be able to return this evening, after a solid day of rest.” Grandma falls silent. Listens. Nods.
I can’t decide if I am happy or sad about being forced to stay here for the day. After all, all my stuff is in Algiers with Mom. On the other hand, it’s a tiny break from
