The two of them left amid a flurry of noise, and much to my relief, they took a nice slice of the pixies with them. I exhaled in the subdued uproar of winged things hopped up on sugar, and my mom and Takata headed my way. She had her purse and coat, and it looked like they were leaving, too.

I leaned against the pool table with a whisper of nervousness tightening my muscles. Takata would never take the place of my dad—I didn’t think he was going to try—but he was going to be a part of my life and I didn’t know what that meant yet. Again I was startled by how alike we looked. The nose, especially.

“We’re going to go, too, sweetheart,” my mom said, her heels clicking smartly as they approached. “It was a lovely party.”

She gave me a hug, her pink-and-blue goody basket thumping on my back. “Thanks for coming, Mom.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.” She stepped back, her eyes bright.

At her elbow, Takata shifted awkwardly. “Did you ask her?” he said to my mom, and I looked from one to the other. Ask me what?

My mom took my hand, trying to reassure me, but it wasn’t working. “I was just about to.” Flushing, she met my gaze and asked, “Would you house-sit for me for about two weeks? I’m going out to the West Coast to visit Robbie. He’s met a nice lady and I want to meet her.”

Somehow I didn’t think meeting Robbie’s girlfriend would make her turn that particular shade of red. She was going out there to be with Takata. “You bet,” I said, forcing a smile until it became real. “Anytime. When are you leaving?”

“We’re not sure yet,” she said, glancing shyly at Takata. The older rock star was smiling with half his mouth, apparently as amused as I was with my mom’s embarrassment.

“Well.” My mom settled herself. “I was going to stay to help pick up, but it looks like there isn’t much left.”

I glanced at the sanctuary, nearly back to normal under the attentions of Matalina and the remnants of her brood. “No, it’s okay.”

She hesitated. “You’re sure?” she said, her gaze flicking behind me to the rest of the church. “It’s Saturday. Isn’t that the day…”

I nodded. “It is, but he’s still looking for a set of rooms. I have another week’s reprieve.”

Takata nervously ran a hand through his unruly hair, and I smiled wryly. “This is the same demon who was trying to kill you, right?” he asked. I could smell the redwood coming off of him. He wasn’t happy, but he didn’t feel it was his place to say anything. Smart man.