So she gardened. She cleaned. She argued with insurance agents and hospital billing departments and poured herself more glasses of wine than was healthy, but she liked watching the sun set through the red glow of merlot while she listened to her father’s music.

He’d never gotten into digital music. His CD and vinyl collections took up most of the shelf space in the living room, and she played the music he’d loved and held her dog as Leonard Cohen and Bruce Springsteen filled the house. She’d keep his music and his guitars because that was who he’d been to her in the end. A voice on the end of a phone line. A remembered lyric. Rough hands on guitar strings, playing softly.

Then Morgan called her on a hot summer afternoon.

“Hey.”

Her phone moved as her cheeks curved in a smile at Morgan’s voice. It poured into her, and she felt full and thirsty all at once.

“Hey yourself.”

“We’re having a small barbecue for the Fourth if you’re free. I was just informed a moment ago.”

She hadn’t realized it was already the Fourth of July. Time moved too quickly. She covered her sudden panic with words. “That depends. Will you be grilling?”

A distorted voice shouted something in the background.

“Was that Stevie?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“What did she say?”

“Nothing repeatable.”

The sounds of a scuffle ensued, and then Stevie’s voice, breathless with victory, spoke into her ear. “Hey stranger.”

“Hi, Stevie.”

“You coming over?”

“Your friend grilling again?”

“Who, Morgan? You know she keeps things hot.”

Emilia was glad the phone hid her blush. Morgan swore and Stevie yelped, and then Morgan regained control of her cell.

“Yes. There will be a grill. And food. On it. Cooked by me.”

“Then I’ll be there. What time?”

“Four? And bring Nell. I’ll let Stevie explain about Dogpocalypse.” There was another flurry of static. “Explain when she gets here, you dumbass. I am not letting you anywhere near my phone again.”

“You got things under control?” Emilia asked.

“Totally.”

“Sounds like it. Anything I can bring?”

“Yourself.”

The way Morgan said the word left Emilia momentarily speechless. She swallowed, tried to respond, paused, and tried again. “I can do that.”

“Great.” She heard the grin in Morgan’s voice. “See you soon.”