"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.

ward off the

gave him a set of new clothes. "Go take a

the family in the living room, and her expression

Riley, as a daughter, as

her eyes rimmed with red, and continued, "I

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

a bitter smile, and her eyes were brimming with tears. "Mom,

always blamed herself for not providing a complete home, a carefree childhood, a

that!" Grandma suddenly demanded, letting go

felt a pang of pain, smiling weakly. "If it were me in trouble today, would you sell the old house to save

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