Page 76

Penny

DR. NUSSBAUM SHAKES HER HEAD AS SHE LOOKS THROUGH ANITA’S test results. “It’s a medical miracle. It’s as though it never happened. There’s no damage from the near-drowning, or the coma. You’re completely healed.”

Anita nods sagely. “A true miracle.” When the doctor leaves, she winks at Penny.

Penny smiles back. She hasn’t left her mom’s side since she woke up yesterday. Ron closed the café for a few days, so he’s been there with them the whole time. His presence means that Anita and Penny can’t talk about what they experienced across the Veil.

Finally, when Ron steps out to get food, Anita says, “How did you manage it?”

“Honestly? With a lot of help.”

“My brave sweet pea.”

Penny stands up, stretching. “I think I need more coffee.”

“Me too, but not this hospital stuff. It’s disgusting.”

“Snob,” Penny says, and Anita smiles like it’s a compliment.

As Penny walks to the coffeepot by the nurses’ station, a crowd of people at the end of the hall catches her eye. They’re divided into two groups, one clad in black and dark purple, the other in floral prints and crisp white shirts. Penny stops in her tracks.

The Barrions and the De Lucas are here.

Alonso stands behind his mom, hands shoved into the pockets of yet another silk robe. The De Lucas have always been beautiful, in an overdramatic sort of way, but now they’re almost glowing. Vera De Luca’s hair is especially wavy under her wide-brimmed black hat. Emilia is standing taller than usual, her eyes bright. Even Donna is… wearing eyeliner? Maybe that’s the only change, but regardless, they look like a witch coven that could mess you up with a few well-chosen words.

Penny quickly searches for Charles Barrion, and she lets out a breath when she sees that he isn’t here. It’s only Corey, his dad, his aunt Helen, and Sofía. If Penny had to guess, Corey’s grandfather isn’t celebrating her mom’s recovery. But she’s the only one who knows that. She’ll have to tell Corey and Alonso the truth about what happened at the De Luca Pharmacy, but she hasn’t found the right words.

When Alonso sees Penny, he beams. “Look who’s here.”

“We’re here to drop off some flowers,” Alonso’s mom says, though she’s glaring at Corey’s dad.

“Actually, we decided to meet here because it’s neutral ground,” Sofía says. “We’d like to see the oath, please.”

Alonso hesitates, but soon he takes Penny’s manila envelope out of his messenger bag. Corey’s dad takes it from him, and he quickly unrolls it, all business. As his eyes scan the page, his face doesn’t change. Sofía and Helen crane their necks to see, and they both gasp.

“It’s true, then,” Helen says.

“Did you know?” Mr. Barrion asks Corey.

“For a few days,” Corey says. “The De Lucas want to move back into their house.”

“And we’re not asking permission, for the record,” Donna says. “But unfortunately, you have our keys.”

Sofía pulls James and Helen aside, and they talk in low voices while the De Lucas wait in tense silence. When they come back, Helen is smiling.

“We’ll give you the deed to your house immediately,” she says.

Corey’s dad clears his throat. “As soon as you return the money we paid you for it.”

“Take it all,” Alonso’s mom says, a smile on her bright face. “The soil under that house is worth more than any dollar you could give us.”