"Drew, I want to help you," Claire said softly, patting his shoulder.

Drew suddenly slapped himself twice across the face. "It's all my fault, all my fault..."

"Don't say that, Drew. It's not your fault." Claire grabbed his hand.

Camila turned from the passenger seat, sighing. "What's done is done. Crying won't bring the money back. Let's go home. Have a good meal. Get some sleep, and start fresh tomorrow." Drew nodded, and his shoulders still trembled.

When they arrived at Claire's doorstep, Grandma came out of the house with an iron basin. Inside it were cedar wood, red beans, and cinnabar.

She lit it with a match, and smoke began to rise from the basin.

"Drew, step over it," Grandma said softly.

Obediently, Drew lifted one foot and gently stepped over the basin.

mutter, "Step over the fire, ward off the bad luck,

set of new

Claire gathered the family in the living room, and her expression

voice slightly hoarse, "Mom, Riley, as a

took a deep breath, her eyes rimmed with red, and continued,

mother, touched, squeezed Claire's hand and nodded approvingly. "Of course! I

her eyes were brimming with

blamed herself for not providing

Grandma suddenly demanded,

pang of pain, smiling weakly. "If it were me in trouble

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