"I really hope Morgan can come. There's no one down there my age," said Flor, "Or at least no one my age who wants to hang out with me."

As much as she liked visiting Mexico, it wasn't as much fun to spend when it was just her and her parents. Sure there was Rico and her aunt Alma, but Rico usually spent it partying or being hung over. While her aunt on the other hand normally visited her friends; when she wasn't busy being the town's curandera.

"You can always hang out with Juan," said Rico.

"Hold still," chided Alma as she massaged his wrist. By now Rico had gone from a sling to an arm brace. Although he still had to wear the medical boot.

Flor grabbed a concha from the basket that sat on the coffee table. "I guess."

Alma pursed her lips. "I could try to talk to her parents."

Flor's eyes lit up. "Really??"

"Mhm. I'll stop by tomorrow morning and see what I can do," said Alma, grabbing a concha herself.

***

Morgan and an older woman stood across from each other. They studied one another, waiting for the other to make a move.

"What are you afraid of?"

The sound of the front door being closed woke Morgan. She rolled out of her bed to peek out the window. A small beat up car was parked in the driveway.

"Who could that be?" Morgan wondered.

Curious, she got dressed and ran downstairs for a look. As she approached the kitchen she could hear her parents' voices and a third familiar one.

"Her lessons have been going very well. She's quite the fast learner, like my niece."

Alma? But what was she doing here?

Morgan peeked around the corner. Sure enough there she sat at the kitchen table, right across from her parents. Along with a couple of mugs of coffee and a basket of assorted pastries.

Alma leaned over in her chair.

"Hello there. Come to join us?" she asked.

Morgan his behind the wall.

"Come on out, you've been spotted," said her father Gregory.

Seeing she had been caught, Morgan came out from her hiding spot. Alma pulled out a chair for her.

"Thanks," said Morgan sitting down, "What are you guys talking about? Am I in trouble?"

Alma pushed the basket towards her. "Oh no. I had some extra pastries and wanted to see if perhaps you guys wanted them."

"She was also telling us more about the trip," said Ingrid.

"She thinks it might be good for you to come along," said Gregory.

Morgan picked out a yellow pastry with a sugary shell pattern on it. "And what did you guys say?"

Instead of answering, Gregory took a pastry as well. He bit into it and chewed slowly as if stalling for time. That or to annoy Morgan.

"We'd have to talk about it," he finally said.

"So you're considering it?" Morgan pressed on.

It took all her willpower not to groan as her father took another bite. She didn't know how it was possible, but he seemed to chew even slower this time around.

"There are a lot of things to consider. For example, you traveling with a group people we don't know," said Gregory before turning to Alma. "No offense."

"None taken," said Alma.

"Oh come on! Mom knows them. And they've been really nice to us. Right Mom?" said Morgan.

Gregory turned to Ingrid. She shrugged. "Alma has been very helpful."

"See?" said Morgan.

Her father finished up the rest of his pastry. "We'll see."

This time Morgan really did groan. She buried her face in her arms, completely defeated.

Alma cleared her throat. "I understand your concerns. Believe me, I do. However, considering how her powers have been manifesting, I think it's best that she gets the most training that she can get. And I assure you she'll be completely safe. We'll be in a small house isolated on a mountain. Perfect for practicing her magic."

Gregory sat back in his chair, deep in thought.

"What do you think?" he asked Ingrid.

"She could use the break," she answered.

Gregory let out a sigh. "She could."

Morgan looked up, a glimmer of hope reigniting. "Does that mean I can go?"

"We still have to talk about it more but..." Gregory started to say.

Morgan took it as a yes. She leaped up and hugged him.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She said. "I'm gonna go tell Flor!"

"Wait, I didn't say..."

Before Gregory could finish his sentence, Morgan had already run off into her room.

"She seems excited," chuckled Alma. Mission accomplished.