Delia could barely look at her parents. “But I failed you both. The theater’s gone.” She faced Nishi. “This is amazing. I’m . . . wow, honestly, it’s just . . .” She dropped the “just” and forced herself to turn to her mom and dad. “I wanted to save the theater. I wanted you to not have to worry about me.”

Claire stood and wrapped her arms around her daughter. “That is one thing you can never ask of a parent. We will always worry about you.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Delia said, breathing in her mother’s lilac perfume.

Claire crouched in front of her. “Our decision on the theater wasn’t for you or us, it was for all of us. Your dad and I want new adventures. And since you’ll be off having your own . . .” Her mom tapped the letter. “Your own incredible ones, then we decided we’re ready for ours too. The next phase. And once we get that Winnebago, we can park right outside your doorstep for as long as we like!”

Cassie said, “Nuh-uh, Mrs. M. Not cool.”

“No,” Delia said, standing to hug her mom and bring her dad into it. “It is. It totally is.”

Delia had convinced herself that saving the theater was for her parents, but it was as much for herself as it was for them. A safety net she’d thought was tied to a place. But it wasn’t. It was tied to people all along.

When they all sat back down and Cassie had thrown napkins at the three of them to dry their eyes, Nishi spoke.

“This is because I recognize talent when I see it. You coded two fully functioning apps, both of which surpassed the programming skills of every other project at ValleyStart. My company needs talent. But we need talent that will grow and learn. So my hope is you’ll consider a part-time schedule. One that will allow you to enroll in a college close to our offices.”

“Like Mountain View U?” Delia asked.

“Exactly.”

“But I didn’t apply. . . . I’m not sure I can start in the fall.”

“I may not be the founder of Pulse—”

“Thank goodness,” Delia said.

She smiled. “But these are strings I can pull. Oh, and after breakfast, I’d like you and your cohorts to meet me in my office. I can’t shake the feeling that Girl Empowered deserves some serious consideration. Never been an investor before, but maybe it’s time to add another line to my résumé. What do you think?”

“Oh, she thinks,” Cassie said, and for the millionth time in her life, Delia was grateful to have Cassie as her best friend. Cassie always had her back. And then Delia remembered Natalie.

“Uh, Nishi?” she asked. “If you’re looking for programmers, I have someone I’d like to recommend. I wouldn’t be here without her.”