Foxy took a deep breath and scanned the exterior with a tilted head. “I thought we was about to move into a shack. It’s a lovely surprise is what I meant, Austin, and I promise to honor your mother by taking good care of it.” She slid the giant sunglasses off and tucked them inside her suede shoulder bag with long fringe hanging from the bottom. She turned her attention away from the house and studied my face as Boss and Jinx walked by lugging a big trunk. Once they were inside, she leaned closer to me. “Is this your first cycle or have you had your monthly before now?”

Face instantly heating, I gawked at her. “First time. Did you read it in my aura? You really are a fortune-teller.”

Foxy sniffed, maybe her way of laughing. “No. I acted as one for the fair, but I don’t need to be able to read minds or the future to know.” She reached a long, cool fingertip toward me and gently tapped my chin. “Acne, and your emotions are running a little high. And . . . you have this look on your face like you’re constipated. Sweetheart, that’s a dead giveaway.”

Good grief. This woman was just as candid as Mama used to be. Oh, the ache in my chest that thought produced.

I followed her onto the porch and stood in the recesses of the shade. A slight breeze rustled by and sent the wind chime to singing a delicate melody. “Well, that’s nowhere near as magical as you reading my aura . . .”

“Yeah, and that’s the reality of reality. Do you need anything?”

“A potion to make it go away would be nice.” I couldn’t believe I was having this conversation with a perfect stranger, but she was a woman and there was no way I was talking to Pa about it. “Mama . . . she stocked up on stuff I’d need, but . . . my, uh . . . my stomach hurts and I feel really tired . . . Should I take Pepto or aspirin?”

“You need Midol. I have some.” Foxy rummaged around in the giant bag, retrieving a plastic medicine bottle and handing it to me. “Take one and repeat as directed.” She twisted the bottle like a dial and pointed to the directions on the back. She raised her voice slightly, speaking over her shoulder. “Jinx, baby, will you bring in my medicine trunk next?”

“Yes, my queen.” He pushed the screen door open and headed to their van with Boss following, the door smacking shut behind them. They came from around the side of the van with another trunk, but this one was double in size. “Where you want it?” Jinx grunted as he and Boss both appeared to be struggling to carry the bulky thing.

Foxy eyed me. “How many bedrooms did your daddy say?”

“Two. But the back porch has been closed in, so that’s like an extra den or something.” I shrugged.