“Sure,” Laurie said. She took the bag from Jack and stood it next to hers. Both she and Neil watched Jack wander into the crowd.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Neil said. “Other than her late grandmother, you are the only one she talks about from her childhood. You must know her really well.”

“I suppose.”

“As I said,” Neil added, “I’m glad to meet you.”

“Jennifer didn’t tell me you were here,” Laurie said. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Jennifer having company.

“I know she didn’t,” Neil said, “because she didn’t know I was coming. I got here last night and didn’t meet up with her until today.”

“I also didn’t know she was seeing anyone seriously.”

“Well, don’t jump to any conclusions. I don’t even know how serious it is. I guess it’s one reason why I’m here, so as not to burn any bridges. I really do care for her. I mean, I came all this way for a grandmother. But I’m sure you know Jennifer and how difficult she can be, given her relationship with her father.”

“I’m not sure I follow.”

“You know: self-esteem issues.”

“I’ve never thought of Jennifer as having self-esteem issues. She’s bright, attractive—just a great girl.”

“Oh, yeah. She’s got them, and it can make relationships kind of bumpy. And she definitely doesn’t think of herself as beautiful as other people think she is, no way. I mean, she’s textbook with the entire recognized complex, but not without hope.”

“What exactly are you talking about?” Laurie demanded, squaring off in front of this stranger who was openly criticizing someone she cared deeply about.

“She’s confided in me, so you don’t have to pretend. I’m talking about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her delinquent father after her mother died. I mean, she’s done amazingly well, thanks to her intelligence and general strength of character. She’s very tough, and her father is lucky she didn’t kill him, as headstrong as she is.”

Laurie was stunned. She’d had no inkling that Jennifer had been abused. For a second she wondered if she should be honest with this man or play along. She decided to be honest. “I was not aware of any of this,” Laurie said.

“Oh my gosh!” Neil blanched. “Obviously I shouldn’t have said anything. But the way Jennifer has always spoken of you as her only and closest mentor, I assumed you would have been the only one to know besides myself.”

“Jennifer never told me. Never even hinted at it.”

“Gosh, I shouldn’t have assumed. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize to me. You’ll have to apologize to Jennifer.”

“Not unless you mention it. Can I ask you not to?”