Ava said nothing.
“That’s life,” he said with a shrug.
After an hour of grilling by Ava, interspersed with encouraging comments from Molly, it was time to eat. Paisley was on a kid-gamer high, devouring her slice of pizza and ready for more excitement, but Ava said, “No, we need to get going.”
That brought on a pout, until Reggie distracted her. “Paisley, there’s something behind your ear.” He reached over and magically produced a dollar bill.
“Wow,” Paisley breathed.
“I remember when people did that trick with a quarter,” Molly said.
“Inflation,” he replied as he handed it to Paisley. “Ava, thanks for letting me crash the party.”
“Thanks for the pizza,” Ava said, minding her manners. Finally.
“Thanks for joining us,” Molly said to Reggie. “It probably hasn’t been very restful.”
“It’s been fun,” he said. Between the chaos and the daughterly grilling, that was stretching it.
“You are an awful good sport,” Molly said once they were in his car. “I’m sorry about my daughter giving you the third degree.”
“I didn’t mind,” he said. “She loves you and wants to know who you’re hanging out with. I had a good time and I hope we can do something again. I’d like to hear more about your life.”
“Not much to tell,” she said.
“You’ve got a lovely daughter and granddaughter. I’d say you’ve done some living.”
“More lately than I’ve done in a long time,” she said, thinking of how the Christmas-all-year gang had pulled her out of the doldrums. She went on to tell him about her friends and how much happier she was now that she was expending some extra energy. “It’s funny, I was so tired before this, but I think I just needed a good shot in the emotional arm. I’ve been in a slump for a long time and not realizing how big a slump it was.”
“We all get in slumps,” he said. “I did after my sister died.”
She could identify with that. “I lost my husband when Ava was just a toddler. I wanted to fall into a slump back then, but I didn’t have time. I had a girl to raise.”
“Looks like you did a good job with her,” he said.
It didn’t seem to Molly like Ava had been on her best behavior. “She’s normally more friendly.”
“She was fine. And I’m sorry about your husband.”
“It was a long time ago.” But sometimes it felt like only yesterday. “There are still times when I miss him.”
“It’s no fun being alone,” Reggie said. They pulled up in front of her house and he put the car in Park, smiled at her. “Thanks for including me tonight. Want to go out to eat again? Not the pizza place,” he hurried to add, “but somewhere?”
“I’d like that,” she said.
He nodded, smiled. “Good. Stay right there. I’ll get the door for you.”
Men still did that? She stayed put, let him open her door and walk her to her porch. She’d gotten out her key and was pondering whether or not to ask him in when her cell phone rang. Ava, of course.
“Go ahead and take that. I’ll see you later,” he said, backing away. Then with a final wave, he was off down the walk, moving toward his car.
“Is Reggie still with you?” Ava asked.
“No, he just dropped me off.” Molly opened the door, then settled onto the nearest chair.
“Mom, you can’t really like this guy,” Ava said.
“Why not?” Molly demanded and began shrugging out of her coat.
