Page 11 of The Perfect Secret

“No, it’s fine. I, uh, might not be home.”

She dropped her fork. “You’re always home Saturday nights.”

“Well, this one I might not be.”

“Where are you going?”

“To the planetarium.”

“By yourself?” She made it sound like a museum trip alone was stranger than a trip to Mars. Which, he guessed, for a teenager, was the equivalent.

“No, with a friend.”

She eyed him and it took all of his willpower not to look away. “Who?”

“Hannah. You met her at the JCC concert last week.”

Tess’s mouth dropped open; she closed it after a second or two. “So, you’re going on a date? With her? You don’t know her.”

Dan resisted the urge to squirm. There was one teenager in the room. He wasn’t it. “Well, we had lunch together today.” For the second time.

“And now you’re going out on a date?”

“Probably.” What was his problem? Hannah was great. He’d enjoyed their lunch. He’d called to tell her that and asked her to the museum. She’d wanted to go with him. So why was he uncertain? How many young women wanted to saddle themselves with a grey-haired dad of a teenager who, from the sound of things, wasn’t too keen on the idea?

“What does ‘probably’ mean?” She leaned forward and rested her chin in her hand.

It appeared his discomfort piqued her interest. Terrific. “I asked her to join me, but I may cancel.” Because you haven’t dated in twenty years, which is almost before Hannah was born, a little voice whispered. Well, not quite before she was born, but for sure before she hit puberty. He massaged his leg and frowned. And he expected her to want to go out with a guy with a bum leg?

“Why? Don’t you like her?”

“Do you?”

Tess thought about the question for a few moments. Dan’s stomach tightened the longer she took to answer the question. Why did her answer matter so much? It wasn’t like he and Hannah were serious or anything. He wasn’t sure he would see her again. But he waited for Tess’s answer like he’d wait for a doctor’s analysis of potentially troubling test results.

“I guess. I mean, I think it’s weird you’re going out with someone you don’t know well, though. Do you guys even text?”

Well there’s a ringing endorsement.He exhaled. He’d swear his breath came from the ends of his toes. “We talk.”She makes me laugh.“But I might have rushed into things. I’m not sure this is the right time. What do you think?”

“I’m not the one who asked her out. You can’t ask her out and then cancel. That’s mean. Why’d you ask her if you don’t like her?”

“I didn’t say I don’t like her. And I’m not mean.” He took a deep breath. He could do this. The key was to remain in control and plan everything. Which he’d done for seven years since the disaster six months after Beth died. He’d cleaned up his act, put taking care of Tess above everything else, and done nothing but remain in control. Maybe it was time for a little fun. He deservedsome, didn’t he? Tess was out for the evening; it wasn’t like he would be abandoning her or anything.

“Well if you’re going to cancel on her, it’s obvious you don’t.”

“I’m not going to cancel!”

His raised voice startled him and Tess’s smile told him she’d baited him. With great success. Dammit. He lowered his voice. “I’m not going to cancel…I don’t think.”

By now, they’d finished dinner and Tess rose to clear the table. “I don’t get it. You can’t make up your mind whether or not you like her, whether or not you’re going to see her, but I’m the teenager who doesn’t know her own mind. Parents are so confusing.”

Hannah plated the last of the snacks as her grandmother answered the door for the book club women. This month was their turn to host. Hannah said hello as the five women walked in. Of various ages, they all had a common interest in reading and started this club a year ago. Since Hannah and Sylvia were the hosts, they’d chosen this month’s book, a biography of Sonia Sotomayor. As hosts, they were also supposed to lead the discussion. After everyone had been greeted, Hannah pulled Sylvia aside.

“You’ll lead the discussion, okay,Bubbe? I didn’t finish the book.”

“Of course,Hannahla, but I thought you wanted to read this one.”

“I did, but I’ve been busy.”