2025 Works in Progress

ROSE “Hi! Lacey, right? Hope we’re not too late.” LACEY SMILES. SHE BEAMS AT THE SHY LITTLE GIRL, NO OLDER THAN EIGHT, WHO HAS MATCHING ORANGE-RUSSET HAIR LIKE HER MOM AND PIGTAILS, AND A BRIGHT SHIRT THAT SAYS ‘GIRLBOSS’ ON IT IN PINK. LACEY “Not at all. Wasn’t waiting long. Hi, I’m Lacey. What’s your name, cutie?” THE GIRL LOOKS TO HER MOTHER FOR ASSURANCE. HER MOTHER NODS, NUDGING HER. LUCY “Lucy. Like the song.” SHE SMILES AT HER MOTHER. LUCY “Mama named me after a flower and a song. I’m Lucy Violet Waltz.”