Page 46

Hissunglasses fall from his head over his eyes as he looks up atShannon. “Wegotta go by the botanica.”

* * *

“Whyis nobody prepared for practice today?”Shannongrumbles in a singsong tone as he throws hisFordinto park.

“Hey,Iwas,”Adriansays as he unbuckles his seatbelt in the back.

Shannonshakes his head before leaving the truck and heading for the entrance.

Itake another big swallow of water to hydrate the sudden dryness in my mouth.Adrianopens the door, waiting expectantly.Hetakes my hand beforeIhop down from the truck and doesn’t let go.

TheRamosbotanica is exactly asIleft it: a brownish-gray metal building withBotanicaRamosspray painted in red on all sides and a gigantic red sign above the front that lists all sorts of their wares and services in white letters.Adriandrops my hand to open the glass door;OurLadyofGuadalupegreets visitors, followed by a smack in the face with the heady scent of incense.

Thebotanica is a sensory overload.Movea foot, and you go from smelling incense to packets of pungent dried herbs hanging on peg boards; another foot and you’ll detect the brightly-colored baños in bottles and bars.

Statuesline the back wall, including a human-sizedSantaMuertewith her black cloak and scythe thatIdon’t think has ever been for sale.Behindthe glass case counter that holds jewelry and precious crystals is a solid wall of candles in all shapes, sizes, and colors, but mostly seven-day prayer candles with pictures of religious figures pasted to the front.

Zakis there with a box in hand, restocking yellowHolySpiritcandles.Whenhe turns at the sound of the doorbell, his face brightens when he sees me.

“Hey.”Hesets the box of candles down on the counter.Whenhe sees his brother, the memory of catching us is clear as day on his face. “What’rey’all doin’ here?”

Shannonmotions his head toward us. “She’spukin’ for some reason other than being sick, stressed, or pregnant.”

Iwince at that last word.

Someonesucks on their teeth. “Notpregnant, huh?”

“Ifit’s gonna be like this, then fuck y’all,”Ibite before stalking toward the front door.

Ahand wraps around my wrist and pulls me back.

“She’sonly been sick around me,”Adriantells him, dragging me to the counter.

Zaklaughs curtly. “Yeah,I’dbe fuckin’ sick around you, too.”

Adriangroans. “Mira, she needs a limpia,Z.”

Thesilence is tense asZakwatches me with a clenched jaw. “Imeant to do one whenKriswas chasing her after the show.”

“Okay, then, she’s overdue,”Adriansays as he starts pushing me toward the doorway covered with a beaded curtain beyond the counter.

Pastthe beads is a roomI’verarely been in.Alongthe left-hand side is a workspace set up with a sink, candles, herbs, and oils, and the rest of the room has a couple of chairs and a padded table for people to lie on.

“Doesn’tKrisnormally do this?”Iask asIwring my wrists, glancing around.

“Shehasn’t come in since last week,”Zakoffers.Hepauses at the workspace to search the cabinets.

PeeringatShannonfor an answer, he looks away.

Ah.Thatwould explain things.

Iclear my throat. “Howis she, by the way?”

Zakshrugs. “She’snot talkin’ to anyone exceptTiaRosa.”

Cool, soIget to avoid her once again, butZakis the only one who can do the limpia.

Thefaucet squeaks, water gushes, and he places a clear glass full of water on the counter.Next, he splashes an egg with holy water, mumbling a prayer and making a sign of the cross over it.