Summary

The day of George and Cocoa’s arrival, Mama Day is not feeling well. She finds a mysterious flannel bag of herbs and salt mixed with dirt beneath her steps. She walks to Ruby’s house, and under the pretense of asking for some peaches, she leaves the bag where Ruby can see it and will know she’s been found out. Ruby is very polite and says nothing, knowing Mama Day is not a person to trifle with.

George is not sure what to expect from Willow Springs. He finds the island to be a paradise, and is surprised by Abigail and Mama Day, as they are nothing like he imagined them to be. They accept him immediately. Cocoa is nervous having him at her childhood home at first, but realizes she is fortunate to have both parts of her life together...