She shrugs, a shadow of uncertainty dimming her smile.
I feel bad. None of this is her fault. She’s a pretty girl, and she thought she was coming here to meet a single man. And it's true. I am single. But am I available? I never saw the distinction between those two words until now.
“Your mom asked me to come and get you. She says it's time for dessert.”
For a moment I think Anna might turn and walk away as soon as she's finished delivering my mom's message. I wouldn't blame her if she did. But, no. She waits for me and joins me on the walk up to my parents’ house.
“Natalie seems nice. Does she have a boyfriend?”
My forearm muscles tense at the mention of Natalie. “No.” My voice is gruff. I could tell Anna that Natalie is fresh from a divorce, but I'm not sure how open Natalie wants to be with that information.
Anna claps her hands twice. “Oh, good. I have somebody for her.”
Have somebody for her?Is that a Generation Z way of saying she wants to set Natalie up on a date? I should ask one of my students. Anna is closer in age to them than she is to me. Maybe they'll know.
“You have to discuss that with her. I'm not sure if she's dating right now.” We reach the back door and I hold it open for her.
Anna taps my chest with one finger as she passes me on her way into the house. "That I can do."
After dessert, my mom putsThe Christmas Storyon TV.
“It's tradition,” she explains to John, Melinda, and Anna.
Natalie excuses herself from the room. For the next ninety minutes, the only movement I make is to sink lower into the armchair I'm sitting in. When the movie is finished, everyone gets up and stretches. Natalie must've gone to take a nap, because she never returned.
John announces they better be getting back, and everyone starts saying their goodbyes. Natalie reappears and says a polite goodbye to my parents’ neighbors.
“Good, you're back, " Anna says, placing a hand on Natalie’s shoulder. “Aidan said you’re single?”
Natalie flinches, taken aback. She glances at me, then back to Anna. “Yes. Why?”
Instead of answering her, Anna turns to me. "Aidan, give me your phone.” She gestures at me with fingers that curl in and back out.
I know what she's doing, and it's far easier to let it happen than fight it. Especially with an audience.
Fishing my phone from my pocket, I hand it to her.
Her fingers fly over the screen, and then she presses a button. A ringing fills the air, and she reaches a hand into a bag and silences it.
“There,” she grins, pleased with herself. “We've exchanged numbers. Call me next week and we can all go out.”
“Great,” Natalie says in a voice that sounds delighted to everyone but me. I happen to know that is Natalie's fake voice.
The neighbors leave, and my mom turns to Natalie after she shuts the door. “I didn't realize you were ready for dating. That's great. Get right back on the horse.”
Natalie gives me a dirty look. “Yes, apparently I'll be getting back on the horse with a child.”
“Maybe the guy Anna knows is a successful thirty-year-old man.”
Natalie raises her eyebrows.
“But probably not,” I add. This makes her smile.
My mom rubs Natalie's back. “Nevertheless, it will be good for you.” She looks up at my dad. “You ready? Shawn said he was setting up Catan in your office.”
“I'm going to kick your ass again,” my dad warns.
“Only if you promise to kiss it too.” Mom pivots, heading away toward Dad’s office, and my dad follows.
