“I realize the run is still eight months away, but the work starts well in advance and most of our sponsors have already committed. We have to get T-shirts designed, our website up and running for registration. It’s a long process.”

I stood in the doorway for a minute, hoping she’d just look up and I’d wave, then point at my cell phone, letting her know she could call me if she had any questions. I even cleared my throat a few times, but she never glanced my way. Instead, she wrote in neat, even strokes in the notebook on the desk in front of her. I knew how long these phone calls could last.

Her office was a maze of clear plastic bins, her preferred method of organization. I had no idea how she found anything. Each was stacked full of T-shirts or flyers or personalized pens or visors or who knew what else.

I noticed her cell phone sitting on the desk next to her so I sent a text: Mom, I’m going to Amelia’s.

Her phone dinged and she looked at it, then up at me with an eye roll. I just smiled. She held up a finger to me.

Into her office phone she said, “I’ll send you the paperwork, then, and get back to you next week. How does that sound?” After a pause she clicked her pen and set it on the desk with a nod. “Okay. Thank you so much.”

She ended the call, then set down the phone.

I nodded toward it. “You didn’t even give yourself a two-week break? Already working on the next event?”

“Fund-raising breaks for no one.”

“How is it going? Getting sponsors?”

“We’re on track.” She glanced at her watch, then looked up. “Isn’t this early for you and Amelia?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call ten a.m. ‘early.’”

She smiled. “You know what I mean.”

“We have a project we’re working on,” I said. She probably thought I meant something for school, but it was easier to let her think that than explain what we were really up to. “Can I take the car?”

“Sure. What time will you be home?”

“I’m not sure. Can I text you?”

“Sounds good. See you later.”

I nodded, thought about weaving through her plastic bin maze to give her a hug but changed my mind when she picked up her phone again. As if she’d read my mind, she kissed the air in my general direction. I turned and headed toward the front door.

I nearly ran over my dad, who was on his way into the kitchen.

“Where are you off to?” he asked.

“Amelia’s. I told Mom.”

“Sounds good. Don’t do anything stupid and remember who you are.” This was his standard line when I was going anywhere.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll remember exactly who I am when I’m doing something stupid.”