“It’s not tight. It fits.”

They went into the kitchen. Ellen poured them each a cup of coffee and joined Unity at the table.

“I have all new clothes for the trip.”

“You leave Monday, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Excited?”

Ellen groaned. “No. I mean I’m glad I’m going but all that time with a bunch of teenagers on a bus? Keith is dealing with some unexpected attitude from Lissa. I’m hoping to have some time with her to try to figure out what’s going on. And I do want to work through a few items on my list.”

“And Disneyland,” Unity teased.

“I’ll confess the aquarium in Monterey is probably more my thing, but the kids will love it.” She paused. “You okay?”

Unity clutched her cup of coffee and shook her head. “No. Something happened.”

Ellen leaned toward her. “What? Tell me.”

Unity recounted how Dagmar had invited her to dinner without warning her there would be a man there.

“He’s her great-nephew or something. It was so surreal. I was shocked and confused and then I just got scared. I’m not kidding. I almost couldn’t speak and I was shaking. I can’t imagine what he was thinking. I feel stupid and inept.”

Ellen held up her hand. “Wait a minute. Dagmar set you up without warning you? Has she met you? You still sleep in Stuart’s room, in the bed he had in high school. You’re still going to a grief group and she set you up without telling you?”

Unity nodded. “It was awful. Not the guy. He was nice enough, I guess. I don’t really remember very much about him.”

“Were you interested?”

“What? No. How could I be? I’m not kidding. I don’t even remember what he looks like.” She thought about that evening. “He’s got dark hair, maybe. I don’t know.” She looked at Ellen. “I’m so embarrassed by my behavior. It’s one thing to not want to let go of Stuart but I should be able to survive in a normal social situation. I completely overreacted. I don’t want to date or anything, but I hate feeling like this. I’ll accept being stuck, but I don’t want to be broken.”

“This isn’t your fault. You can’t be expected to just meet some guy. That’s too much, too fast. Dagmar shouldn’t have done that to you. I’m not dealing with the Stuart stuff and I’d have trouble meeting some random guy without knowing what was happening.”

Unity managed a slow smile. “Yes, but you’re socially awkward, too.”

Ellen laughed. “Gee, thanks. So you’re saying we’re both a mess?”

“Apparently. Although look at you, wearing the fancy clothes.”

Ellen tugged on the short sleeve of her T-shirt. “Twelve dollars, baby. I’m living in style.” Her smile faded. “Maybe it’s time to get out of your life rut. Just a little.”

“I know. Someone’s sending me a message.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. “I need to listen.”