What in the world had she done to Adella? Jupe seemed just as surprised by the outburst, so whatever it was, he didn’t know either.

Yvonne’s nostrils flared. Arms went rigid at her sides as her eyes brimmed with tears. “I can’t change the past. I can’t keep saying I’m sorry. But I’m trying to get my life together now. It would be easier if you’d all be supportive. I’m staying at the Landmark Hotel in the Village if you want to contact me. Otherwise, I’ll see you at noon on Christmas Day—this is me officially notifying you, Lon.” She glanced at Jupe. “I’ve got presents for you. I want this to be a nice holiday. I hope at least you’ll give me a chance, baby. I want to be part of your life again.”

As his face contorted with warring emotions, Yvonne brushed a tear away, straightened her shoulders, and strode out of the restaurant.

The ride back to Lon’s house was pretty damn awkward. Everyone seemed to be lost in their own worlds, processing what had just happened. I know I certainly was. My chest felt like it was weighted down by a bowling ball.

Yvonne was sober. Yvonne wanted to be a part of Jupe’s life. Everything inside me said no no no. Not now. Anything but this. I’d only just gained a small amount of acceptance from the Giovannis—now I had to deal with her, too?

And if I’d felt jealous of Adella and Rose’s relationship with Jupe, I felt downright threatened by Yvonne. And it wasn’t just because of Jupe. My thoughts were sliding into dark places, wondering if seeing her ignited any feelings in Lon. It was easy enough to hate someone who’d wronged you when they were still doing all the things that made you hate them in the first place. But what if she really was making an honest effort to change? Lon didn’t want the old Evil Yvonne, but did he want new Humble Yvonne? They had a shared history. A child together. Could I compete with that?

Logically, I knew I was jumping the gun, but the bowling ball on my chest just got heavier and heavier.

Silence and brooding ruled inside the SUV until the restaurant was a few miles out of sight. Then Jupe broke the ice. “I’m really sorry, you guys. I didn’t call her. She called me. And I’m sorry I didn’t say anything, but I just wanted Christmas to be normal and good. She said she wanted to visit, but you’ve got to believe me—I told her not to come. Listen to my feelings, Dad. You know I’m telling the truth!”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, baby,” Rose said.

Lon stared straight ahead, eyes on the road. “I’m not mad at you.”

That seemed to calm Jupe down a little. After awhile he said, “Do you think she’s really sober?”

No one answered. Adella was still angry, and like Lon, was keeping herself tightly wound. Mr. and Mrs. Holiday glanced at each other as if they were wondering whether they should jump in. I never knew them to stay quiet about anything, so it was disconcerting that they were holding back.

After a few moments, Rose finally said, “I don’t know.” She put her arm around Jupe’s shoulders and pulled him closer, stroking his arm in one of those grandmotherly ways. I never knew my grandparents, but I always fantasized that they’d be that way, kind and comforting.

It was weird that a few hours ago, I was still angry with this woman. Now I saw her in a different light. God only knew what she’d had to deal with when it came to Yvonne. She could have just let Lon and Jupe slip out of her life. But she stuck around. Jupe thought she was the best thing since sliced bread. So she was a little stubborn. Maybe I’d be stubborn too if I was in her shoes.

“I want to believe her,” Jupe admitted after a while. “Does that make me a sucker? Every time I believe her, she lets me down.”

“Me too,” Rose answered. “Me too.”

Lon remained silent for the remainder of the ride. He was dark and stormy and circled by a solid stone wall and a moat filled with snapping crocodiles. Completely unreachable. I hated that Yvonne had that effect on him. I desperately wanted to talk to him in private, but when we got home, Lon asked the Holidays to take Foxglove out back with Jupe. Once he was out of earshot, we stood on the front walkway with the Giovannis.

“How did you do it, Rose?” Lon asked.

“Do what?”

Lon’s eyes narrowed. “You know damn well what I mean. Resist her knack. How did you do it?”

Rose pushed her glasses up. If I had to guess, I’d say she was almost embarrassed. “Oh, all right.” She sighed theatrically, then reached inside her purse and pulled out an object that fit in her palm. It was metal. It glowed softly with Heka.

“A charm?” I said.

Rose was embarrassed. “Just a little one.”

“Mama!” Adella said, peering into her hand. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She shrugged. “I bought it from a magick shop in Portland. The woman who owns it is a witch, and she said she bought it from an estate sale. She wasn’t sure if it would work. But I had it on me last time I saw Yvonne and it worked . . . well, like a charm.”

“Can I see it?” I asked

She handed it to me. “It” was a silver signet ring, the band almost worn through in the back. The front was a flat hammered circle with a magical sigil engraved in the middle. “This is a variation of Solomon’s Seal.”

Lon squinted at it as I turned it in my fingers. “I’ll be damned. I think you’re right.”

“And just what does that mean?” Adella asked.