Harriet, Jacob, Mimi, and Christina sat in a circle in the back of Mimi’s shop.

“So we all got the same letter, right? Bittlesman’s raising our rent by ten percent. That will take a huge chunk of our profits,” Mimi said.

“He can’t do this!” Harriet protested.

“Actually,” Jacob said grimly, “he can.”

“Is there anything we can do about it?” Christina wondered.

The three other merchants stared at her.

“What?” Christina asked.

“You’re dating Bittlesman’s son,” Harriet pointed out.

“We’re hardly dating,” Christina said.

“Yeah, well,” Harriet continued aggressively, “you had Delia Bittlesman and her kid at your party. It’s on you to do something about this. Tell Bittlesman you’ll stop babysitting his granddaughter if he ups the rent.”

“Harriet! I’m not babysitting Wink! That little girl has nothing to do with—”

Mimi intervened. “This rent hike slams us all in the face.”

“In the pocket, too,” Jacob added.

“So we’re all upset and emotional. Let’s take a day or two to think of possibilities.”

“I’ve got a possibility,” Harriet snapped. “I’m going to buy a slingshot and learn how to use it, and when Bittlesman comes out of his house—”

“Stop that right now!” Mimi said. “It’s Christmas.”

“Yeah, well, Bittlesman sure does not have the Christmas spirit,” Harriet grumbled.

The Shedders all returned to their stores. Even with her small space heater turned to high, Christina couldn’t get warm.

Outside, night fell early. The Shedders usually kept their shops open until six in December, in case any island person who worked until five needed a chance to shop. But the wind was picking up. Waves were slapping against the pilings supporting the wharf.

Christina opened her door and looked out. Was it going to snow? It was certainly cold enough. But a crescent moon hung bright in a cloudless sky.

“Bah humbug,” Christina said.

Just as she was cashing out, her cell rang.

“Christina!” Andy sounded full of good cheer. “I just got back to the island. Can I take you out to dinner tonight?”

Her heart rose—and she remembered her rent hike. “I’m sorry, Andy, not tonight.”

“Does this have anything to do with my father?” Andy asked. When Christina didn’t answer immediately, he said, “Remember, my father and I are two different people.”

“I know that,” Christina said. “I’m just…tonight’s not good for me.”

“I’ll stop by the shop tomorrow,” Andy said.

“Great,” Christina told him, but she couldn’t force herself to sound enthusiastic.

—

Christina biked home through the dark streets, cheered by the lights of Christmas trees in the houses. Some people had put electric candles in their windows. She especially liked those. They made her think of these houses in the past, before electricity, and how a candle in a window would cheer the person heading home through the dark.