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I nearly dropped my fork. It was the first time he’d initiated conversation with me in quite a while. “Yeah, son?”
“What happened to the house?”
I shook my head. “The deal fell through. We can look for something together this summer.”
Ollie smiled softly, then frowned. “I’m sorry. I know you liked the house.”
I raised my eyebrows. “What am I paying Cecilia? Whatever it is clearly isn’t enough.”
With an eyeroll, Ollie said, “Sorry, lapse in judgement.”
I chuckled and took another spicy bite, following it with a drink of lemonade.
“Dad?”
Again? At this rate, I’d have to erect a trophy in Cecilia’s honor. “What’s up?”
“Have you ever thought about dating?” he asked.
My hand stalled on the fork. In fact, I’d thought about dating a lot lately, and more, even though it was way too soon. “Sometimes,” I admitted.
He nodded, pushing rice around on his plate.
“Why do you ask?”
His shoulders lifted in half a shrug. “Mom just got married so soon, and I... I don’t know. I haven’t really seen you with anyone.”
“I never wanted to introduce you to anyone unless it was serious, you know?” I wished I could tell Ollie about Birdie. How much I liked spending time with her. How lucky he was to have someone like her working at his school. But I needed to respect her privacy too, especially before we made anything official.
Ollie lifted a corner of his mouth. “Because of your mom?”
I nodded. “And because of you. You deserve the best, kid.”
“You know, Dad?” he said. “So do you.”
* * *
That conversation with Ollie left me feeling as high as the moon. Even while he went to his room to finish up on homework and go to bed. Even while I scrubbed the dishes and the table and the sink.
Even when the house was quiet and I went to bed. I couldn’t wait to tell Birdie about our breakthrough, about our first full conversation in weeks that didn’t involve an argument.
Then I realized I didn’t have to wait.
Cohen: You’re not going to believe this. Ollie actually talked to me tonight at dinner. We had a really good conversation.
I settled into my pillows, wishing she was beside me.
Birdie: !!!
Birdie: Cohen, that’s amazing! I’m so happy for you two!
Cohen: I’m happy too. Happier than I’ve been in a long time.
Birdie: :) what do you think made the difference?
Cohen: I’m not sure. Maybe a combination of things. Whatever it is, I hope it stays this way.
Birdie: Me too. You both deserve it.