Lydia is moving to New Haven with her husband, Miguel, and their two young sons. Though they take their sons, Lydia is forced to leave behind her daughter because of her learning disabilities; Miguel convinced her that while they set up their life, she should leave her daughter with her sister and they'll send for her when things are less hectic. Trying to establish a life, Lydia gets closer to Miguel's sister, Lea, who owns a store. Though it masquerades as a stationery store, the shop sells a variety of items and runs on everything but stationary. Lea introduces Lydia to the different colored candles she uses and sells for multiple occasions, such as health, love, and wealth. One day, a woman named Josefina comes in crying, shouting for a refund on one of her candles. In spite of the love candle, Josefina reports that her lover abandoned her and demands a refund. Life continues on and Lydia becomes adjusted in her new life. She takes on the responsibility of candle keeper for Lea, making sure that all her ritual flames remain. Lydia tells her sons that the candles keep away bad people and omens. The sons wonder why, then, a lady was able to stab their father. This information is new to Lydia, and she interrogates them. She realizes that Josefina and her husband have been sleeping together, and that Lea has known this all along.