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His answer comes almost immediately.

I only took what I was told. Only fair that I share the wealth. House is quiet and tree is lit.

I take my phone with me to the bathroom and brush my teeth again, then fix my hair even though I tell myself I am not fixing my hair.

When I come back out, Mom is awake and blinking at the television. "I missed the whole thing, didn't I?"

“Pretty much. At least you saw the parade.”

She pushes herself up. "I'm going to bed."

"I'm actually going to go out for a little while. Do you mind if I take the car?"

She looks at me. "Where are you going?"

"Over to Hildie's. Carson asked if I wanted to come help him get rid of some of the cookies Sabal sent her home with after the party. You know cookies are my jam.”

Her mouth moves like she's trying not to smile.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Mom."

"I didn't say anything."

"You were about to."

She stands and picks up her mug. "Take the car. Just don't wake me when you come in."

"I won't."

"Have fun."

I narrow my eyes at her, but she keeps walking.

Twenty minutes later, Carson and I are on the floor in front of the tree with our backs against the couch. He has a beer. I have one of the red sugar cookies, because the red sugar glitter is my favorite flavor. Yes, colored sugar has flavors.

He reaches into the pocket of his jacket beside him. "I got you something."

I stop chewing. "You what?"

"It's nothing big, but I saw it today and couldn't resist."

"That's what people say right before handing someone a puppy."

"I can assure you it's not a puppy."

"Good, because I didn't get you anything and now I already look bad."

He holds out a small paper bag, the top folded over twice. I take it from him. "This wrapping is really setting expectations."

Inside is a shark's tooth on a leather cord. It's black, about the size of my thumbnail, drilled through the top and hung on a knot.

"That's not one of the ones from the jar, is it?"

"No, ma'am. Gas station special. From the one on Stickney Point." He rubs the back of his neck. "There's a rack of them by the register, and when I saw it, I immediately thought of you due to your fascination with the jar last night."