“It doesn’t show a bit.”

Mimi wrapped an arm around Adrian’s waist, tugged her in for a side hug. “My kids, all three of them, keep growing up. Look what you’ve done with this garden. You’ve got gorgeous flowers going, tomatoes?”

“Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, carrots, squash, zucchini, herbs, and more herbs.”

After pushing up her sunglasses, Mimi scanned the rows. “It’s practically a farm.”

“City girl, this is a backyard vegetable garden.”

“Same thing to me. You did this, just you?”

“And so far, so good. I wanted to try. Nonna and Popi planted every year. I’m going to try to hold up that tradition. It’s relaxing, and I’ve got plenty of time when I’m not actively working.”

“Which is almost always.”

“Half a day generally when I’m not pre, post, or in production.”

With considerable pride, she studied the young plants.

“I’ve got a rhythm going, and I like it. I cut out the travel when I moved here for Popi, and it didn’t take me long to realize I liked not being on the road. I can appreciate what Monroe says when people wonder why he writes exclusively and doesn’t perform. I like the quiet, too.”

“You never liked the travel, not really.”

“No,” Adrian admitted, “not really.”

“Lina thrives on it. And before she gets here I’m going to ask you for an honest answer. I know her perspective, but I want yours. And it’s between us. How are things between you and your mother?”

“I hope her perspective is they’re better, because they are. We understand each other better, and she does better with adults. You were the mom of my childhood.”

“Aw, sweetie. She loved you always, Adrian.”

“I get that more now, too.” Adrian picked up the ball Sadie dropped at her feet, threw it high and long. “The fact she agreed, without much adjustment, to this production, using the high school? That’s a big give for her, and I appreciate it.”

“She’s nervous about it.”

“What?” Adrian started to laugh, then saw Mimi’s face. “Seriously? Lina Rizzo, nervous?”

“Yes, Lina Rizzo, nervous, about going back to her high school, and the fact that two of the teachers know her from back then. One of them she even dated a couple times.”

“You’re kidding. How did I not know this?”

“I guess she didn’t mention it. Nothing serious, she tells me, because she ended up going with this football farmer guy.”

“A football farmer? Mom?”

“Farm boy who played football. That, apparently, was serious while it lasted.”

Fascinating, Adrian thought. The things you learned when mother figures finally considered you an adult.

Just fascinating.

“She never talks about back then with me.”

“Do you talk to her about the boys, the men you’ve dated?”

“Absolutely not.” She threw the ball again.

“You said ‘happy’ to Sadie. You look happy, Adrian.”

“I am. I’ve got my work, my home. I planted a garden. I have great friends, an amazing dog. That’s happy.”

“And I don’t want to spoil that, but have you heard from the investigator?”

“She’s following a lead in Pittsburgh. Or was a few days ago. It doesn’t spoil it. I feel like putting it in her hands took it out of mine.”

Sadie ran back, woofed again.

“She hears a car. Must be Harry and Mom—though I expect everybody soon. And here we are drinking wine before four.”

With a laugh, Mimi draped an arm around her waist. “We’d better get more glasses.”

On Friday evening, Adrian stood in the high school gym with her mother, her friends, the crew. Hector and his assistant huddled over cameras—the placement of the stationary, the potential movements of the two portables. The lighting director worked with his gaffers and grips to set up light stands, run cables, decide on gels and filters.

“It’s a good space,” Adrian said to her mother.

“I suppose it is.”

“Memories?”

Lina shrugged. “I didn’t play basketball or have much interest in it.”

“But I’m told they held their dances here, too.”

“Yeah.” A ghost of a smile flitted over Lina’s face. “With live bands. Very old-time. Let’s go over wardrobe.”

“Girls’ locker room for us.”

When they went back, Lina looked around. “At least they updated—some—in the last decades. And it doesn’t smell like sweat, wet, and Love’s Baby Soft. Popular eighties perfume,” she said at Adrian’s blank look.

“Which you didn’t use.”

“No, I didn’t. How would you know?”

“Because you were never going to be one of the crowd. You stood out, made sure of it. That’s not a dig.”

“I don’t take it as one.”

“Yours.” Adrian gestured to the rack Wardrobe had already set up. “Mine. Like we discussed, we’ll coordinate or complement colors in each segment. They’ll set up the cast’s wardrobe—girls in here, boys in the other locker room. Females in leggings or capris. We’ve got everyone’s sizes.”

She wagged her hand as her mother looked over the choices.

“Boys, gym shorts or sweatpants—‘boys’ and ‘girls’ include teachers. Girls, sports bras and a choice of tank or tee; boys, tank or tee. The tanks, tees will have either the Yoga Baby or New Gen logo. I thought we could mix that up. We have socks, athletic shoes, sweat-bands, water bottles, samples of our Energy Up drink. Logo’d. The cast can keep what they use, and we’ll do the hoodie with cast member’s last name in addition. Harry’s idea.”

“He’s always thinking. Intro and cardio first,” Lina considered, “so why don’t we go with the red? Scarlet tank, black leggings with the blaze up the side for me.”

“I’ll tag the red bra, black tank, and the red-and-black capris.” When she had, she glanced over. “Strength training next.”

“You choose.”

Changes, Adrian thought as she considered her choices. Changes could happen, and little tears in relationships could mend.

Very bright and very early on Saturday morning, Adrian sat in the bleachers, going through the script one last time while Teesha sat beside her talking to Monroe on her phone.

“Yeah, it looks like we’ll get started pretty close to on time. Adrian and her mom already wrapped up the main intro. If you bring them in, say, in an hour, I’ll nurse Thad during the break, and Phin can ask the crew his ten million questions. You’re a stand-up guy, Monroe. I’ll see you in about an hour.”

She pocketed the phone. “So, your mother’s half flirting with that teacher dude.”

Surprised, Adrian looked up to see her mother across the gym with a man with gray-streaked brown hair, horn-rimmed glasses. Both of them were in wardrobe, and did appear to be half flirting.

“That’s the guy she dated a couple of times in high school.”