On Thanksgiving weekend, Beatrix “Trixie” Fairchild expects her three grown children to meet her in Niagara Falls. For what, she won't say -- but her cryptic invitation spark a certain kind of magick and makes it so each one of her adult children returns to their hometown with hope, and only a small amount of resentment, in their hearts.<br><br>Whether it's Ivy, the oldest, who fears following in her mother's witchy footsteps; or Hazel, the middle child with itchy feet and a wanderlust that can't be sated; or Rowan, the youngest and only boy, now a trans woman struggling to integrate her past and present lives; each returns home, expecting some sort of resolution to their family woes. What they get is a surprise love interest along the way.<br><br>Will Ivy continue to overthink her own happiness, refusing to see what is right in front of her? Will Hazel feel too betrayed by her false family line and leave now that she has no home anchoring her in place? And will Rowan be able to finally integrate the best parts of herself without compromise and hurt feelings in the aftermath? What is Trixie planning for the holiday weekend?

The Thanksgiving Invitation

“A woman,” Wanda, one of her close friends, reminded her now. “You’re a grown-ass woman. With a life. A job. A nice car. Retirement’s savings. And you’re not even thirty yet!”


“Thank you for all the praise, my dear Fish Called Wanda,” Rowan teased. She was in the middle of her condo’s closet, pacing back and forth as she tried to pack for the weekend festivities. After the first hour had been a struggle of Sisyphean proportions, Rowan had called Wanda up and asked for help. Wanda had only teased her at first, stating that Rowan was only calling the other butch trans woman she knew because all the femmes—like Gina and Taylor—were with their sugar daddies for the holiday weekend.


“Do you want me to return the favor, then?” Rowan asked Wanda now. “And praise you until you can’t stand it anymore?”


Chapter 11