Fix hard lines and broken points in a gradient mesh

Thank you.  I think as a work around, I will change the color of one point, and if it’s overlapping with another point, I’ll move the top point out of the way then change the color of the bottom point then move the top point back into place.

Hi! Mesh points can't be joined together like regular anchor points — that's normal for a mesh, so you don't need to merge those two points.

For the hard line, try this with the Mesh tool (U):

1. Click the circled point to select it, then give it a color between the two sides — for example, a mid-grey between the light grey and the dark grey. You can also drag a color from the Swatches panel directly onto the point.

2. If the jump is still too abrupt, add an intermediate point between the contrasting points: Shift-click with the Mesh tool to add a point without changing the color, then color that new point with the in-between shade. That extra step is what creates a gradual blend.

3. If a stray point is causing a kink, you can remove it with the Mesh tool by Alt/Option-clicking it.

Move mesh points with the Mesh tool rather than the Direct Selection tool, so the mesh lines stay connected. Adobe's guide on editing mesh objects is here: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/paint-and-fill/create-and-edit-meshes/edit-mesh-objects.html

Hope that smooths it out!