After a short search I found Noni down by the water, leaning on her cane not too far from where Salil and I had sat together last night. Her shoulders were hunched and her head tilted down, like she was tired. “Hey, Noni! You all right?” She waved her free hand at me dismissively without looking up. When I reached her I was relieved to see her smile. She sighed, her eyes sparkling up at me. “Ugh, I’m old, Vincenzo.” I laughed and took her elbow. “You’re not that old. Where’s Mom?” “Eh, probably with Ren and Dana. She spends a lot of days with them…working.” The emphasis she put on ‘working’ made it clear she doubted they got any work done. Ren owned a magic shop called “The Wiccan Wave” across the street from the town beach, and did a brisk business selling charms and candles and essential oils to tourists. My mom had probably crafted half his inventory. “Did you eat breakfast, Noni?”
