You, With a View(22)

“When did you slow down?” I ask.

Paul gazes at the wall. “When Theo was born. He’s my only grandchild, so I have a bit of an affinity for him.” My heart softens at the affection on Paul’s face as he continues, “I lived in Los Angeles from college on. My son, Sam—that’s Theo’s dad—moved up here when Theo was in junior high, and Theo’s uncle, Mark, and his husband left for Arizona about a decade ago, so for a time it was just Vera and me.”

Thomas smiles over at me, both impish and proud. “Noelle’s a photographer, too.”

I resist the urge to play it down or deny it altogether as Paul eyes me.

“I had a feeling. She told me she wasn’t.”

“I’m nowhere close to you,” I say, gesturing at the display before us. Somehow, my hand ends up pointing right at that childhood portrait of Theo, and I stuff my hands into the pockets of my jeans.

Sadie weaves her arm through mine, shaking me gently. “You’re amazing.”

“She’s downplayed her talents, then,” Paul says with a sympathetic smile. Like he knows it’s an achy spot. I swallow and look down at Sadie’s long rainbow nails, bright and cheerful against my sun-starved skin.

“That sounds about right.” Thomas sticks his hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels. “The funny thing is, when she was in high school, she wouldn’t shut up about all the things she was good at.”

“What’s truly funny,” Paul says, “is Teddy talked quite a bit about a very accomplished girl in high school. Now, it took me a bit of time to unravel all this after I met you last week, but I realized the name I always heard as Steph was actually Teddy talking about you and calling you Shep.”

My heart plops into my stomach. “I’m sorry, what? He talked about me in high school?”

Next to me, Sadie inhales with barely concealed delight, her fingers digging into my arm. She won’t let go of the idea that this is fate’s way of bringing me the love of my life.

Maybe I’d play along otherwise, but the idea of Theo being the love of my life—or even the love of one single month in my life—sends icy fingers dancing down my spine.

“Yes, indeed. Theo spent every summer with Vera and me—”

“Wow, the whole summer?” Thomas interjects.

Paul nods. “Since he was six. It was a deal I worked out with his parents. He came to us the week after school ended and left the week before it began.”

“That’s intense. I’m surprised his parents let him go.” I hold up my hands. “I mean, I’m sure it was great. It’s just a long time to be gone.”

“It was a good setup for everyone involved,” Paul says simply, his gaze moving back to Theo’s picture.

I always wondered where he went, though I pretended not to care. The momentum of the school year and all of the energy I expended to be the best—better than Theo—fizzled into a melancholic lack of direction during the summer. Sometimes I felt lost without something (or someone) to direct my ambitions toward.

Paul picks up the thread of the conversation, pulling me out of my memory. “At any rate, your name would come up during conversations about the school year. You played tennis as well?”

“Yes, I played number one singles on the girls’ team. Theo was the same on the boys’ team, but you probably knew that.”

Paul nods. “I was his number one fan. Always have been, even though I couldn’t make it up north to watch his matches but for every once in a blue moon.”

“Some people tried to organize a head-to-head match between Theo and Noelle their senior year to raise money for charity,” Thomas pipes up, “but the principal shut it down. He knew it would end in bloodshed.”

I toss him a glare. “That was the official story. I think Theo was afraid I’d win, and he paid Principal Reyes off. He still owes me a head-to-head match.”

“I actually would pay to watch that,” Thomas says. “As long as bloodshed was guaranteed.”

“Noelle would wipe the court with him,” Sadie says loyally. “Respectfully. She’s a beast on the court.”

Paul laughs, shaking his head. “I have no doubt it would be entertaining.” He sweeps an arm toward the sliding door. “Should we continue on with our current adventure? You and Teddy can discuss your match next time you see each other.”

I’m actually shocked he isn’t here now, although Paul did promise no more “mix-ups.”

I have to squeeze my brain like a fist to crush my curiosity about what he’s doing on such a beautiful Saturday morning. Is he still sleeping? Is he alone, or is there someone warming the other side of his bed?

Gah. Shut it down, Noelle.

I give Paul a carefree smile, towing Sadie with me. “Adventure time it is.”



* * *





Thomas and Sadie take the seats closest to the door, their backs to the house. They lean toward each other, heads bowed over the photographs I’ve already seen. Meanwhile, Paul digs through the box, presumably to grab the letters he promised we’d read.

I fiddle with a stack of photos, trying to figure out how to bring up the map. My plan. What I need from Paul. It’s possible he won’t care and say “here you go, good luck.” But it’s also possible he’ll think it’s odd, or he won’t approve. In that case, do I go? Will he still tell me the rest of the story? I don’t know how I’d feel going on their aborted honeymoon trip if I didn’t have his blessing. It’s a weird enough idea as it is.