“Nick, this is Catherine, our neighbour.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, Nick.”
“Are you really sure about what you’re doing?” he asks her, without hesitation.
“What’s that?”
“Seriously? Coach Madigan? A woman like you could get hundreds of men much better than him, with a much nicer personality, and…”
She laughs, bringing her hand in front of her mouth.
“Areyousure about what you’re doing, kid?” Dad appears from behind us again.
Nick turns, his tone strangely serious. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life, sir.”
My dad studies him for a few seconds, then closes his eyes and sighs heavily, as if something huge and overwhelming were sitting in his chest.
“I really hope so,” he says quietly.
This time, I know he’s serious. And I don’t know whether that makes me happy, or terrifies me.
* * *
We sitdown at the dining table. Nick and I are next to each other, opposite Dad and Catherine.
“So, Nick. What do you do?”
“He’s a model,” my dad responds for him.
“Really?” Catherine must be the only person in the world who hasn’t seen his photos.
“I used to be,” Nick says. “I’m taking a break right now. I’m looking at other options.”
“Sure, you’re young. You have your whole life ahead of you,” Catherine comments. My father lifts his gaze onto Nick, then, who can’t seem to bear the weight of my dad’s eyes.
“True,” Nick says flatly.
“I’m sure you’ll find the right path soon,” Catherine adds.
“It’s not like I’ve just been sitting around, twiddling my thumbs,” Nick says, trying to justify himself, even though he doesn’t have to. “Lately I’ve been helping out a friend at a kids’ summer camp.”
I turn suddenly to face him. “You didn’t tell me that.”
He shrugs. “We haven’t had much time for chatting…”
My dad clears his throat, and I feel my face burst into flames.
“What camp?” he asks.
“The UCD summer camp, for kids from seven to ten.”
“Interesting…” Dad comments. “They’re basically the same age as you.”
“Do you enjoy it?” Catherine interjects.
“I was just there to do my friend a favour.”
