The phone rang, and with a smile, I answered. “Hello, Gina. How’s my daughter?”
“Good, Dad. How are you?”
“I’m fine. How are Tina and Leo?”
Gina laughed. “Busy. Eric took Leo to soccer this morning, and I’m sitting in the stands while Tina swims.”
“I miss them.”
“You need to come for another visit.”
“I will.”
“You sound down, Dad. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. I was thinking about something just before you called.”
“What?”
“The conversation we had at Christmas about selling the house.”
There was silence, then she spoke. “Are you ready for that?”
“I think I am. It’s too big for just me. I don’t use the pool anymore, and frankly, I think the house needs a family in it.” I rubbed a hand over my eyes. “I think maybe you’re right—it’s time to move on. You could come and take anything you want—I can ship it out to you. Maybe the dining room set? I know you always loved it. And your mother’s china.”
“I would love that.” She paused. “Has something happened, Dad? Something that made you decide?”
I sat down, unsure what to say. I had always been honest with my kids. “I had a date last night. I think it made me realize it was time to make some changes.”
“It must have been some date.”
I chuckled. “I’ve been thinking about moving for a while. I think I realized last night, if I’m ready to move forward in my life, maybe I need a fresh start in other places as well. And to be honest, I’m getting tired of rambling around in this place.”
“Too many memories?” she guessed.
I thought about bringing Sandy here. How I would feel being in the house she shared with Max. They would always be in the background. Our past lives. Past loves.
“Good memories, but yes.”
“Whatever you think is best, Dad. You know I support you.” Then her voice became teasing. “So, this date… You’re not suddenly going to spring some young woman on me as an evil stepmom, are you?”
I laughed at her words. “No. The lady I took to dinner was my age. Quite respectable.”
“Okay then.”
“I’m not looking to replace your mother, sweetheart. I’m just…” I trailed off, unsure what to say.
“I know, Dad. Mom would be happy you are trying. So am I. Warren will be fine with it. You’re too young to stay alone for the rest of your life. Just don’t rush into anything, okay?”
“I won’t. I’ve known this lady for a long time. We’re friends and we went to dinner.”
There was another pause. “Was it Sandy?”
I was surprised by her question. “Yes, it was. How did you know?”
“You always talk about her. I sometimes wondered why you didn’t ask her out sooner. I figured when you were ready, you would.”
“I was waiting for her to be ready.”
“Ah, Dad, you’re such a gentleman. I love you.”
I chuckled. “I love you too.”
“I’ll have to call you later, and you can tell me all about the date. Tina’s lesson is done, and she’ll be here in a minute.”
“All right, sweetheart. Thanks for calling.”
“Okay. Oh, and, Dad…”
“Yes?”
“Thanks for telling me. Remember to practice safe sex. Even at your age!”
Then, laughing, she hung up.
I set down the phone, grinning. I wasn’t surprised at Gina’s easy acceptance of the changes in my life. We had always been close, and she fussed a lot over me being alone. She had also suggested I sell the house two years ago, but at the time I wasn’t ready. At Christmas, I had wavered but decided against it. As I looked around the room, I decided that, perhaps, now I was ready.I checked in with Sandy midafternoon. She answered the call, her voice a little breathless. It immediately took me back to the way she sounded after I had kissed her.
“Hello, Sandy. Having a good day?”
“A busy one. I decided to clean out some spaces. I’ve filled two garbage bags. Honestly, I have no idea why I had some of this junk stuffed in drawers.”
I chuckled. “I know. Sometimes I can’t even recall putting things in places.”
We shared some amusing stories, the mirth welcome. Then I cleared my throat.
“Thank you again for last night. It was wonderful.”
“It was.”
“Especially the end.”
Her subdued laughter was music to my ears. “That was unexpected, but yes, highly enjoyable.”
“Are you free Tuesday?”
“Yes.”
“There’s a tasting menu at Wallaby’s. Each tasting is paired with the perfect wine. Seven courses. How does that sound?”
“Like I might be drunk?”
I snickered. “We’ll take a cab, and I’ll make sure you get home safe. Would you do me the honor of coming with me?”
“I would love that.”
“Great. And Sandy, Van is getting married in a month. Would you come with me as my plus-one?”
“Oh, ah…”
Her hesitation prompted me to ask. “You would prefer not to let people know we’re seeing each other?”
“We’ve only had one date, Jordan.”
“Two, after Tuesday, and in a month, it will be so many, you will have lost count.”