chapter 24

Taking a deep breath, I walked forward. “Hello?”

I was greeted by the warm glow of flickering candles sitting on every hard surface. Unlike Sheila’s mostly temporary looking furniture, Greta’s tent had an actual bed, a solid wood dresser, and a little table with wood chairs. In the center of the floor was a red and gold rug. The whole place felt warm and inviting.

An older woman was sitting on one of the chairs next to the table. She rose when she saw me. “You must be Lola.”

“Yes, that’s me. You’re Greta?” I asked.

She smiled, creating deep creases around her eyes and mouth. Her hair was white and tied up in a bun on top of her head. A few loose wisps framed her lined face.

“Come in, please have a seat,” she said.

I followed her to the small table and took the chair next to hers. Without warning, Greta grabbed my face, her paper-thin skin felt cool against my cheeks and my eyes widened in surprise.

“I need to get a good look at you,” she said as she held a hand on each of my cheeks.

M