Having gotten that out of the way, Laura stole two of Bob’s ibuprofen and headed to Larchmont. Stepping off the bus, Laura felt . . . happy, despite her mother’s best efforts. Larchmont Boulevard reminded her of the Upper West Side, the bustle of cafés and stores and people. Laura realized she was hungry and headed to the bookstore to see if Polly was there.

“Roomie!” said Polly, looking up when Laura came into the store. “Have you come to whisk me away to lunch?” She paused. “I think we’re too old to call each other roomie.”

“I agree, but yes, lunch.”

Nina was standing there, gift wrapping a book for a waiting customer. Polly looked at her and raised her eyebrows. Nina grinned and nodded.

“We’re not busy right now, off you go.”

Laura spoke up. “Thank you again for last night, I’ll bring your clothes back tomorrow.”

Nina waved a hand and grinned again. “You left one of your socks in the office, it’s still wet, amazingly. Did you know raindrops aren’t actually raindrop shaped, but more like tiny, watery hamburger buns?” She made a lifting gesture with her hands. “They start out as spheres, but their bottoms flatten out as they fall.”

“Probably true for all of us,” said Polly cheerfully. “Come on, I’m hungry.”

Outside she turned to Laura. “What do you feel like eating? Burgers, sushi, pizza, salad, Italian, Greek, bagels, vegan, poke, Thai?” She shrugged. “There’s even American-style home cooking, if you want to go a little farther north.” She was wearing bells somewhere on her person, because every time she hopped from foot to foot, she jingled. “Hurry up and choose, I’m hungry.”

Laura laughed. “All of that’s here on this street?”

Polly nodded. “I forgot Mexican.”

“Ooh, Mexican it is.”

They headed north and ordered tacos. Then they sat on a low brick wall nearby and waited.

“So,” said Polly, “did you see Maggie this morning?”

“No,” Laura said, and shook her head. The taco place called their number, and Polly went to grab the tray. As always, the food made everything better. Dogs and good food: universal improvers.

For a while they munched in silence, and then Laura said, “So, tell me about Maggie. What’s her deal?”

Polly looked at her and finished chewing before answering, “How do you mean?”

“Is she married?”

“Divorced.”

“Happily?”

“No clue.” Polly took a sip of her drink. “She’s chatty but not informative, if you know what I mean. And besides, we’re not friends or anything. She’s got to be, like, sixty. And she’s a therapist, so, you know. I always end up saying more than I mean to.”

Laura said, “I don’t know. I’ve never seen a shrink.” This wasn’t entirely true, but there was no need to go into it then and there.

Polly looked surprised. “You haven’t? What’s wrong with you?”