“Have you seen my nephew?” he asks unexpectedly. Toneless.

“No…” I wonder if this is a trick question.

“He is interested in your mother’s early work,” he says, and that’s when I understand he heard Tai.

“Her early films are excellent,” I reply.

“Dior asked me to re-create scenes from them in the first campaign we work on, when I’m in Paris this fall,” Tai says, sparkling again, before her face cracks the tiniest bit, as if she’s just watched Paris slip from her fingers and thought to herself, So much for being Dior’s fresh Viloki face.

His nostrils flare as if he’s smelled something rank. “My nephew is not from Limatra, and as such, he has provincial tastes. If you encounter him, I expect you will behave civilly.”

I clench my teeth. So Nítuchí’s nephew is just another hot pant–throwing fanboy from the countryside. But why Nítuchí should have any expectation at all of good behavior on our parts after his cold words is beyond me. I want to tell him that I’d rather impale myself with a toothpick the size of a machíkíl than be forced to spend time with a relative of his. Or better yet, I want Tai to wink and tell him she will corrupt his country nephew.

But we won’t.

“Of course I will, Mr. Nítuchí,” I reply instead, as Tai stares into her drink.

He nods. “I suppose I’ll see you soon,” he says, the words heavy with disappointment, before he departs.

Once we’re free, I take a few breaths, watching as Tai tips back the contents of her cup into her mouth to suck at the ice. I feel an acidic roiling in my stomach as the crowd filters toward the adjacent theater, where one of Mama’s films will be screened. I don’t really care which one anymore.

“I’m sad, Nons,” Tai whispers into my ear, soft and tired.

It’s darker in the room, all of a sudden, and I’m in a chilled patch of shadow that grows and shifts as I move. It only makes sense if I stand still, if I place icy hands to my temples, if I shut my eyes, but—

“Nons?” I hear exclaimed behind me, by a familiar booming voice. I whip around and see Teddy. Finally. He hugs me, red-cheeked and beaming. Joyful. My heart soars as I’m crushed under his plush bear arms.

“Holy shit, Teddy!” Tai whisper-shouts, hugging him back on her teetering heels. It’s an awkward moment for a hyperexpressive family reunion, and I can feel eyes snagging on us, but I’m elated enough that I don’t care.