“Why are you sad?”
I studied Orvin’s face. It was hard not to feel like Orvin didn’t belong in Green Acres because he seemed so spry and alert. Yet oftentimes he would forget everything and ask when he had to be at the shop, which sadly had been closed for more than a decade. This was one of his good days, but he could slip easily into forgetting.
“Do you ever wish you weren’t stuck in Green Acres?”
“My darling Grace, let me share a proverb with you.”
I was startled. He hadn’t called me by my name in... I didn’t know how long. “Okay.”
“ ‘I used to think I was poor because I didn’t have any shoes, and then I met a man with no feet.’ ”
I smiled sheepishly. “I am feeling sorry for myself, aren’t I?”
“More than that. You’re being ungrateful. You have the man you always wanted in your life again, a beautiful daughter, and a great job.”
“Yes, but that man doesn’t want me.”
“He will. Just be yourself. Find the music.”
ASH AND Iended up at Tati’s for dinner that night. Tati was trying her hand at being domestic; she had met a man she actually wanted to date, and was bound and determined to impress him. It wasn’t the first time Ash and I had been guinea pigs, though I can’t say we enjoyed it. Tati was a terrible cook. Period.
Tati came to the table with a large platter. “Lamb tagine and Moroccan couscous!”
“Oh Tati, I hate eating lamb.”
She looked affronted. “Why?”
“They’re just too cute to eat.”
“Well, this one’s not cute anymore.”
I shook my head and took a small serving. Ash wrinkled her nose and took an even smaller one while Tati ran around, looking for a wine key.
“Can I have some wine?” Ash asked.
“Nope,” Tati and I said simultaneously.
“Just a sip? Dad said he’d let me have some wine at his house when he has me over for dinner.”
“You call him Dad now?” Tati asked.
“Well, not to his face, but what else am I supposed to call him? Matt? It wasn’t his fault that he didn’t get to be my dad.”
“Does he want to be called Dad?” I asked her, carefully.
“I don’t think he cares. He wants to come to all my school stuff and meet my friends.”
“I think it would make him feel good to hear you say it. The poor guy has been robbed of your childhood,” Tati said.
I bristled. “What happened to the man-hater in you?” I shot back.
“Turning over a new leaf. You should, too.”
“Call him Dad, if he wants,” I told Ash. I handed my glass of wine over to her. “Just one sip.”
She took a tiny sip and scrunched up her nose. “Ew.”
Tati looked up at the ceiling wistfully. “I loved the way he used to dress.”
