, but she wasn't staying in bed. She had to keep moving. She grabbed her dad's diary, its leather soft as her hand

closet, full of

short sleeves, tight at the waist. It felt new. She put it on, added red lipstick, and fixed her blonde bob. The pen

sy with flour. Ellie whisked eggs, humming out of tune, the pan sizzli

ing her whisk when Nora walked in. "Fl

"Nora, you're so colorful! It's..

e. Wanted a change. Don't make it a big deal." She set her mug

eet smell all cheery like her. "Big? You're

ng three pancakes neatly, pouring syrup in careful circles

in at her. It landed on Nora's pla

ast time. But your dad's pancakes were the best. Remember his smiley face that

goofy grin, flour on his face. "Yea

g a pancake bite. "So, what's your day l

class, and... planning Caleb's memorial. That's pretty much it so I'd

lot, Nora. I can skip taking Mom

lined up her fork and knife evenly. "You do y

saving lives and looking cute while at a

your

ng pancakes. "Kids and messy glitter. N

d clinking plates. Ellie tried to grab another pancake, and

gg

issed Nora's cheek, saying, "You're doing great, sweeti

suit bright, and posted it on Instagram: New day, new start. Here we go. She wanted to keep track of her days.The music school was a loft in the Mission District. Brick walls had band posters, and it smelled like wood and old coffee. Guitars were

when she got it. She played a G chord, then D, clean and steady, even with the noisy class. A kid with braces playe

bird," its notes hard. Nora slipped once, ugh, and sat straighter, fixing her fingers until every note was right. By 1:30, she

eyes, wiping the guitar clean, no smudges. A shy woma

said, smiling. "My ex said I couldn'

e called the community center. "I need a room for a memorial, next Friday,"

wasn't sure. "I

ctures. Make sure." She called Reverend Patel to lead it. "He had no family," Nora s

said, "We'll try," and Nora got mad. "It's important, trying won't quite cut it" she s

music? I'm stressed.Maya replied fast: Got you. I'm emailing his work fri

ie, his favorite band. You okay?

aysuit's not here to stay, chill and enjo

ss was in a bright studio in Noe Valley. Pans banged, and herbs smelled good. Nora was tired, but Ms. Clara, the teacher with gray hair

pieces, her knife steady. She mixed lemon, rosemary, and oil, tasting until it was perfect, adding a tiny pinch o

You're good.""Thanks," Nora said, grating a lemon carefully, each

potatoes. "Your carrots ar

aid, showing his bad cuts. "Slow and care

hands. "Is the oven okay? I'm just

It's fine, but I like that

She tasted it...lemony, herby, like her dad's dinners. She did a little happy dance, her playsuit moving,

and groaned. "Min

ken enough, goof. Five more minutes." S

iled it! Maya wrote: Chef Nora, I'm hungry! That playsuit's still crazy! Lila said: Looks awesome, babe. Bring me some

. "No errors," she told the worker, checking three times. She called the flower shop again, making sure they'd come at 10 a.m.Driving home, the c

owers? I'm shook.""Barely," Nora said, kicking off her sho

"Nora, this is amazing. Better

burst

s still cheap."Nora laughed, sitting down, the couch comfy. "Fine, but you'll do dishes." Sh

You're doing right by hi

ly. "You're great, Nora

ff

her mom's win over a grumpy visitor. Nora acted out Theo's messy hair, twirling hers, and talked about Clara's kin

ed, the warm water calming her, and put on a black tee and sweats. Her bed felt soft, the diary on her

ed her lips, her first in days. Her da