“Jason,” she said as she drew abreast of him.

“Tina!” he exclaimed. He looked surprised, pleased, and hesitant. He didn’t offer his hand, he didn’t move toward her.

“I saw you—I’m behind you in the line, and I just had to come to speak to you. It’s so good to see you again. And if it’s not too late—well, of course, it’s too late—but I still want to say that I’m sorry. You know, about our trip, when I left you. I really had to get it off my chest to apologize to you.”

“Are you with someone now, Tina—I mean right now, here in the park?”

“No, I’m alone.” She quickly resolved that she would stay alone, would not mention meeting Allan later if it meant a chance of being with Jason.

“So am I. This line is going to take hours. Why don’t we wait together and catch up on some things.”

“Great—why don’t you come back where I am. I have a blanket on the ground. I was going to do some reading, but I can see that it’s going to be pretty impossible.”

He reclined on the blanket, one knee up and leaning on his elbow, and studied her. “You’re looking good, Tina. What have you been up to?”

“I’m still into my studies—but what about you? Are you out of law school? Where are you living? Are you married or anything? Where’s Timothy?”

“Tim’s in Minnesota, got a job there with the local Arts Council. I finished law school, passed my bar exam, and will start with a law firm in Boston specializing in civil rights in a few weeks. Actually this is the last of my vacation since I took the bar; I’m only in New York for a short time, since I came down for interviews. I had a kind of tempting offer from a firm here, but I called Boston this morning and accepted the job there. It’s for many reasons—so that I can do some work I believe in, not just become a legal mind; and so that I can be near the Cape and my boats. As for the rest, no, I’m not married, or anything . . . no time really.”

“Jason, that’s great about your work. It sounds as if you have it all together.”

“Well, you too, Tina. There you are still pursuing your Dante. You always were determined to have your career, and on your own terms, remember?”

“Yes, I remember, and that doesn’t mean I haven’t made big mistakes along the way even though I’ve got the same end in mind. I wouldn’t do everything over again that I’ve already done.”

“Did you ever find your namesake, Tina? That great-grandmother who came from Castagna?”