Page 36 (1/2)

“Maybe you’d like to look at so less—”

“No This is the ring I want And could you show me some watches? For my son…”

Jude spent another thirtyfor the inscriptions to be finished, then paid for her purchases and left

She drove down to the waterfront and caught the three o’clock ferry At just before four, she was back on Pine Island, turning onto Night Road

At ho roo on the screen

“I overacted in Our Town,” Mia said miserably “Why didn’t anyone tell me? USC will hate this ”

Jude went to Mia, stood beside her “Go to that scene in Streetcar, when you were on the balcony That’ll blow them away ”

Mia took out one CD and put in another

“Hoas school today?”

Mia shrugged “Mrs Rondle gave us a pop quiz So lame And they announced the winter play Roet the lead, which is cool Zach is gonna take Lexi home after practice, but he’ll be home for dinner ”

Jude rubbed Mia’s back “What do you think about Zach and Lexi being together?”

“I bet it’s killed you not to ask me that before ”

Jude smiled “A little ”

Mia looked up “It’s scary … and sorta cool, I guess ”

Jude thought about Mia before Lexi, when her daughter had been like a scared, fragile turtle with her head tucked deep inside her shell Mia’s only friends had been fictional Lexi had changed all that “Whatever happens between them, you and Lexi have to stay honest with each other You have to stay friends ”