Hel paced in the kitchen. “John, I need some assurance that you have not broken your deal with the Nords.”

In the garage, I was beside myself. Dad was working with the Nords? We had a crop? Que pendejo. I was in the dark on a lot of things, but I was about to be brought completely into the light.

“You have my word.”

“Your word isn’t enough.”

“My word’s always been enough.”

“There’s no such thing as betrayal in the underworld, as the saying goes.”

I couldn’t hear it, but there was a pause. I’m sure my dad sat down at the table.

“What does the Frost Giant want, Hel?”

“You need to give him some kind of assurance that the crop will be harvested on time and delivered to San Malinche. If you cannot think of a suitable sign of assurance, I have been instructed to find one.”

“All I’ve got is my herd and my boy. And without them, I don’t have anything.”

Hel looked pained. She knew what she had to do, but she was fighting it. “Don’t be limiting, John. Surely there is something else. That is the Nord cragweed growing in The Hideout.”

“What?” I said to Rocket Girl back in the garage. “What did she just say?”

Rocket Girl was grim and silent.

In the kitchen, Hel said, “I am taking your son with me back to San Malinche until the cragweed is harvested.”

"No. Not him. You can’t have him."