A Scatter of Light

Aria Tang West's meticulously planned summer on Martha's Vineyard with her best friends is abruptly derailed when a graduation party mishap leads to her exile to California. Sent to stay with her artist grandmother, Joan West, Aria anticipates a season of boredom. However, the unexpected arrival of Steph Nichols, her grandmother's gardener, upends everything. Amidst the backdrop of the first major Supreme Court decisions legalizing gay marriage, Aria finds herself drawn into a profound exploration of identity and desire. Steph, a member of the local working-class queer community, opens Aria's eyes to a world she never knew existed, challenging her preconceived notions about herself and her future. What began as a summer of banishment transforms into an unforgettable journey of self-discovery, significantly impacting Aria, her family, and the vibrant community around her. This summer changes Aria's life forever, while also offering a poignant glimpse into the continued lives of Lily and Kath from *Last Night at the Telegraph Club* nearly sixty years later.