The Meddler

Even though her husband’s death changed her life forever, that hasn’t stopped eternal optimist Marnie Minervini from doing the best she can to be there for her grown daughter

Even though her husband’s death changed her life forever, that hasn’t stopped eternal optimist Marnie Minervini from doing the best she can to be there for her grown daughter, Lori, a successful (but still single) television writer. Marnie has relocated from New Jersey to Los Angeles to live near Lori. Armed with her new iPhone and a comfortable bank account, Marnie approaches every day as a new adventure, embracing every opportunity to make a new friend or strike up a conversation with a stranger.

She’s also a daily – make that hourly – presence in Lori’s life. The onslaught of advice – about Lori’s breakup with handsome actor Jacob, or what Lori really needs to be happy, or what Lori should be talking about with her therapist – is starting to drive Lori a bit crazy as she tries to finish a new project. Of course, Marnie doesn’t think she’s meddling – she’s just loving her daughter, the way that only a mother can. With five or six phone messages a day. And texts. And visiting Lori’s therapist for a chat. And sharing every detail of every encounter.

Lori finds an opportunity to draw some strict boundaries when her job takes her to New York. She insists that Marnie remain in L.A. to watch her dogs, and Marnie doesn’t seem too eager to be near her husband’s family, as there are still decisions to be made about his final resting place. Ripped away from the only person she thinks needs her, Marnie quickly involves herself in other people’s lives. She’ll pay for the wedding of one of Lori’s friends (even if she can never quite remember the friend’s name); she’ll help the friendly sales clerk at the Apple Store go back to college; she’ll volunteer at a local hospital; even stumble onto a film set where she is mistaken for an extra. Anyplace where someone needs her.