Lissa shook her head. “I’m used to it. I was little when Dad was still in the NFL, so I don’t remember that. Just his coaching. Guys have always hung out at the house and stuff.” Her smile faded. “My mom didn’t like that students would show up without warning.”

“She’s still in Missoula, right?”

“Uh-huh. She remarried and has a couple of kids.”

“Do you see her much?”

Lissa stopped walking and stared at a window display. “Not really. I’ve visited a few times, but it never goes well. She’s busy with the family she has now.”

Ellen knew there was a lot of information in those three sentences. “Do you want to see her more?”

Lissa touched the glass. “No. She’s not interested in me.” She glanced at Ellen. “She rarely calls or texts. She used to but it got less. I think she picked my dad because she wanted to be married to a guy in the NFL. The fame and stuff. She had me to keep him.”

Ellen tried to hide her shock. “Sweetie, you can’t know that.”

“I can guess. I was really little, but I remember them fighting. She would tell him he had to try harder to become a star. He got mad because of course he was trying. When he started coaching, she wasn’t happy. It wasn’t what she wanted. I don’t think she wanted me, either.”

Ellen put her arm around Lissa, not sure what to say. I’m sure she loves you came to mind, but there was no way to know if that was true.

“She sounds like a really dumb person,” she said instead. “I think you’re amazing and I would love to have you as my daughter.”

“Thanks.”

“Your dad thinks the world of you. You know that, right? He loves you and is so proud of you.”

Lissa stepped away. “I know, but everything is different now.”

“In what way?

“With me growing up and all. It won’t be the way it was.”

“No, but you can still be close. Your dad isn’t going to turn his back on you, Lissa. Do you believe that?”

Lissa nodded, but didn’t look convinced. Ellen knew there was friction between father and daughter. While she wondered if the answer was buried in their conversation, she couldn’t figure out what it was.

Lissa pointed to the boutique. “Let’s go in there. We’ll both find cute dresses.”

“I have higher hopes for you than me. They don’t look like an old lady place.”

Lissa grinned. “You’re not that old. There will be something you’ll like.”

They went inside and looked around. Ellen saw cuteness everywhere. The dresses, the tops, the little flirty skirts. Then she glanced at the price tags and worried that she really would faint. These were not outlet store prices.

Lissa joined her. “You look funny.”

“Everything is so expensive.”

“Sometimes you have to pay retail.”

“That violates my upbringing.”

“Maybe it’s time to be a rebel.”