Selina lived on the outskirts of Trinity Park, close to West Club Boulevard, which separated Trinity Park from Walltown. She’d added several squat pots of flowers on either side of the steps to her porch, and bright pink flowers spilled out of them— the pots already struggling to contain them. Her lawn was still as green and lush as ever. I had a feeling that Selina’s lawn stayed perfect year-round.

She opened the door as I got out of my car, beaming at me.

“Danica. I was just thinking about you.”

I couldn’t help but smile. There was something disarming about Selina’s friendliness. I relaxed fully in her presence, which was something I didn’t do around most people.

“How do you look so good all the time?” I asked. She was wearing a turquoise dress with purple flowers dotted across it, dangly earrings which almost brushed her shoulders, and her hair was in a simple messy bun. Her dark skin glowed, and her feet were bare— toenails painted a bright coral.

She reached out to hug me as I made it to her front door. “I’ll take the compliment. Come in.”

Selina turned and gestured for me to follow her inside. She bypassed the stairs and instead chose the kitchen. I took a seat at the counter and frowned. Selina hadn’t just been thinking of me, she’d obviously known I was coming.

She poured me a glass of sweet tea and offered me a plate. “Help yourself.”

“You didn’t need to do this.”

“Something told me you hadn’t eaten lunch.” She took her own plate and we both loaded up on fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

“You need my help.”

I gave her a hard stare. “You know it’s really annoying when you do that.”

She burst out laughing. “Give a witch some credit. You look exhausted, and you’re attacking that food like you’ve never eaten before. You have a grim look about you, Danica. What happened?”

I filled her in, starting with the way I’d threatened Gary. She waved her hand. “He obviously forgave you if he asked you to take care of his boys.”

I shook my head, reaching for my tea. “He had no choice.”

“He could’ve asked you to take them somewhere else. The very power that scared him also gave him the certainty that you’d keep his children safe.”

“Mmmm.”

Selina shook her head at me, her long earrings dancing. “You’re having control issues.”