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

“Um. Nothing. Just…I liked what we listened to on the bus, that’s all.” Hazel smiled, remembering how nice it had been to share headphones on the bus ride. They’d been so close. Hands entwined, mouths sometimes meeting for a kiss when they weren’t’ going over the music with a fine tooth-comb so they understood every last nuance and sound. From bluegrass to Run DMC, Christopher seemed to like everything. So why wouldn’t Stevie Knicks also be there? “I just…that’s like my mother’s favorite song.”


“Yeah. Anything witchy, you know? So of course Stevie Knicks is high up on that list. Other than her generic Celtic drumming CD, I’m pretty sure I heard that album more times than I can count as a child.”


He gave the man behind the counter a sign that he needed a minute before he turned to face Hazel. “I’m the damn DJ for your mother’s wedding.”


Chapter 26