He laughed a little and poked the bruise hard with his finger.

“So,” Scarlett said, “doesn’t that make things okay between us now? I mean, if you’re broken up?”

Eric got up and started to pace, digging his hands deep in his pockets.

“I don’t know what I’m doing, Scarlett,” he said. “I’ve been so overwhelmed since I moved here. I start NYU in a few weeks. When school starts, I’m going to be busy all the time, meeting lots of people. It might just be the same thing all over again. I hurt Sarah. What if I hurt you? I like you too much to get this wrong.”

“I don’t understand,” Scarlett said.

“Me, neither. That’s the problem.”

They were both so wrapped up in Eric’s confusion that neither of them noticed that someone had walked up behind them.

“Excuse me,” a voice said.

Scarlett knew she knew the voice, but the wires in her head didn’t send the information quickly enough, and she didn’t care enough to turn away from Eric and look.

“The garage is closed,” Eric said, not looking over either. “Sorry.”

“I really need to speak to whoever is in charge.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Scarlett caught the glint of very short, very silver hair.

COMBUSTION

Having met her old friends “Tara” and “Paul” by the entrance, Donna Spendler didn’t need much more confirmation that she was in the right place. She strode inside the garage and up the ramp, with Scarlett and Eric trailing a few paces behind.

“That’s the woman from the audition,” Eric said quietly. “Why is she here, and why does she look so mad?”

“You really don’t want to know,” Scarlett said, hurrying to catch up.

Donna stopped short when she saw Mrs. Amberson leaning against the outside wall, smoking and issuing orders about the placement of the stage.

“I’m starting to think we need to come about five feet forward,” she said. “That way we can have an even flow of energy around the space. Circular motion, like we’re creating a whirlpool of drama.”

“Amy?” Donna said. “It’s been a long time. I love your facelift. I’ve heard you can get great deals on them overseas.”

This was enough to get the attention of at least half the Hamlet crew. Mrs. Amberson didn’t so much as flinch.

“Hello, Donna,” she said stiffly. “I didn’t realize you could come out in daylight.”

Pleasantries thus exchanged, the two settled into an uncomfortable, grimacing silence. Spencer rolled out from under the stage, where he had been attaching a brace for one of the unicycle ramps.

“What a small world,” Donna said, giving him a nod of greeting.

“It certainly is,” Mrs. Amberson replied.

Everyone was aware of what was going on now, and all focus was on Donna and Mrs. Amberson.

“Why don’t we go get a coffee?” Donna said. “We need to talk.”

Mrs. Amberson didn’t stop smiling, but her eyes had gone hard and fixed. She squared off in that superhero stance that Scarlett had first seen her in.