“That’s only because, aside from when we’re naked, your listening skills leave a little to be desired.” She snagged one of his fries and bit off a piece. “I told you this is my way of thanking you for fixing my ride, and I meant it.” She grabbed the bag the food had come in and began fishing out mustard packets, and he realized it was from Hook, Line, and Sinker, a food shack he’d gone to with his family as a child. “You’d better eat before your break is over…”

She continued talking as she put mustard on her fried clams, and he got caught up in a memory he hadn’t realized he still held.

Madigan put her face right in front of his. “Hey. Where’d you go?”

“Sorry.” An incredulous laugh fell from his lips. “I’ve never seen anyone put mustard on fried clams other than my mother.”

“Really? Everyone makes fun of me for it.”

“We made fun of her, too.”

“You’re smiling.”

He tried to school his expression, but the good memories wouldn’t allow it. “Yeah. Hook, Line, and Sinker was one of her favorite places to eat. We’d hit it a few times each summer.”

She plucked a clam from the cardboard boat, waving it at him. “See? Your mom is trying to send you a message from the great beyond.” Speaking softly, as if she were far away, Madigan said, “Tobias, this girl is cute and fun, and she has great taste in restaurants. Don’t push her away.”

He shook his head, picturing his mother’s big brown eyes, which had seen the world differently than most people. “As cute as that was, you’ve got her all wrong.”

She popped another clam into her mouth. “Then tell me about her. But you’d better do it while you eat. I have a one thirty puppetry session at LOCAL, so I don’t have long.”

He’d spoken to Elsa yesterday, and she’d already started the process of getting his grandfather into Madigan’s program. Tobias was tempted to ask Madigan if she could do anything to speed the process up, but he didn’t want to owe her anything. The fewer ties, the better.

“What would your mother have said?” she asked, stealing another fry.

He thought about that for a moment before answering. “Something like, Watch this one, Toe. She’s been kissed by the moon and sung to by the stars. She’s got a bit of rascal in her, so don’t be actin’ a fool.”

“What does that mean? Kissed by the moon and sung to by the stars?”