It took a full glass of wine and a replay before Noah reluctantly performed. Cat laughed with Sara until her face hurt. While the salmon and veggies baked, Sara took Cat up to her bedroom to ask her advice on décor.

It was a typical pink bedroom littered with clothing and magazines and stuffed animals. The perfect cross-section of childhood and the teen years.

“Dad said I can repaint and stuff, but I’m not sure what I’m going for,” Sara mused, picking up a ragged stuffed dog and tucking it into a bin on the wall. “I like some of these ideas,” she said, pulling up Pinterest on her tablet.

“So, I see color, fun, but more grown up,” Cat said, studying the space and the pins. Two large windows overlooked the street. “That wall over there in a teal or a turquoise. And you need a new bed. You’ve got room in here for a queen. One of the ones with the upholstered headboards.”

“Um, that sounds awesome,” Sara decided, flopping onto her pink comforter.

“And you need better clothing organization,” Cat said, toeing a pile of crumpled t-shirts and leggings in front of the dresser.

Sara giggled. “That’s what my parents say, too.”

“If you’re into fashion, you have to treat your clothing well,” Cat pointed out.

“Okay, okay. I’ll clean up. But look. I found this rug that I love, but it’s got all these reds and oranges,” Sara said, pulling out her cell phone and calling up the picture.

“Oh, yeah, definitely,” Cat nodded. “That would look great with a dark teal wall. You could leave everything else white, walls, bedding. Maybe do something funky with the bedside lamps.”

“That sounds awesome,” Sara said. “I hope Dad will be okay with it. Sometimes I don’t think he wants me to grow up.”

Cat gave the girl a smile. “Sometimes parents have trouble with that,” she admitted.

“But you wouldn’t,” Sara said it as if she was sure of it. “You see growing up as an adventure, not something to be protected from.”

“Uhhh…” Cat wasn’t sure how to respond to that.

“I think you’re good for my dad,” Sara continued.

They heard the beeping of the timer followed by Noah’s call for kitchen aid.

“Good, I’m starving,” Sara said, bounding past Cat and heading for the stairs. “Hey, Dad! Cat gave me some ideas for my room!”

“Can we still afford to send you to college?”

Cat wandered down to the kitchen where Sara was plating up the food.

“What happened? Any hints about what’s going on?” Noah whispered without moving his lips.

Cat shook her head. “Huh-uh. Not yet,” she whispered back.

“Come on, guys. Dinner’s ready,” Sara announced.