Chapter 10: Patricia's Table

Patricia's house smelled of roast chicken and lemon polish.

She had set three places at the dining table and one at the end that she'd taken away again before we sat.

She had said on the phone that I could come if I came alone.

Jenna came with me anyway, and Patricia let her.

"I don't want a scene," Patricia said, folding her napkin into a square.

"Neither do I."

"You said you had something to show me."

I put the pouch in the middle of the table, next to the salt.

"Moon Blend," I said. "Gwen's sleep tea. Dean gave me a mug of it every night for five weeks."

"I know. She made it for the whole circle."

"It has blue cohosh and pennyroyal in it."

Patricia looked at the pouch.

"Gwen said they were mild herbs."

"My OB said they start contractions, and one of them was used to end pregnancies. The hospital is testing my son's placenta for them right now."

"Willa."

"I want you to read me something, Patricia."

She stared at me.

"You said you read everything in that chat. You told me yourself, last month, that you never miss a word she writes."

"I do read it."

"So read me what Gwen wrote about the tea in the last two weeks before the birth."

She didn't move.

She had gone the white of the tablecloth.

Jenna put her hands flat on the table and said nothing.

The grandfather clock in the hall counted off a long time.

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