“I don’t know why that’s so incredible. I just had to have a coffee to fortify myself before starting.”

“I don’t think it’s incredible,” Angie said. “I think it’s wonderful. Because, let’s be honest, you could use a bit of sprucing up.”

“You think so?” My eyes were darting about, trying to find Trevor.

“I mean, you always wear the same sort of thing. You’ve got your blue jeans, but then, once in a while, if you really want to dress up, you wear your black jeans. And these pullover shirts you wear, I mean, what is it with these?” She was plucking at my top with her fingers.

“The thing is,” I said, “it’s been pointed out to me in the last couple of days, as recently as last night, in fact, that my fashion sense leaves a lot to be desired. An opinion that was not contradicted by your mother. So I thought, while she was out of town on this retreat thing, I’d pick out a few new things.”

“That is so terrific,” Angie said. “You know what?” She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got a bit of time. I’ll help you. Since we haven’t got five gay guys here to give you a makeover, it might as well be my job.”

“No, no, that’s okay, you’ve got stuff to do.”

“No, really, this’ll be fun. Let’s hit the Gap. It’s sharp, but not too flashy. Finish that coffee and we’ll go over.”

I didn’t see Trevor anywhere. Maybe seeing Angie hook up with her father had scared him off. I drank my coffee as quickly as I could, but it was still pretty hot, and it took me a couple of minutes. Finally, I pitched the paper cup into the trash and allowed Angie to drag me over to the Gap, wondering whether Joe Mannix had ever been dragged off a stakeout to pick out new pants.

“Okay,” she said, taking me first to a display of shirts. “I think you’d look good in something like this.” She held up, against my chest, a plaid, button-up-the-front shirt. “What are you?”

“What do you mean, what am I?” I was waiting for an insult.

Angie rolled her eyes. “Size? Are you large, extra-large? I’m guessing you’d take a large.”

“Uh, yeah, I think so,” I said.

A salesperson wearing a “Gary” nametag approached. “May I help you with anything?”

Angie said, “My dad wants to get some pants, maybe some khakis?”

“Sure, they’re over here, if you want to follow me.”

Angie motioned for me to come along. Gary of the Gap said, “He’d prefer loose fit, you think?”

Angie nodded. “Oh yeah, no kidding.”

And I thought, Hello? I’m here, too. You can ask me questions.