“Does that bother you, Traci? That I was in California with your dad?” She wasn’t going to dance around it.

Traci shook her head. “No. But I was worried about him being out there by himself. That he’d slip on a rock and go over a cliff or something. I guess it pisses me off that he didn’t tell me the truth.”

“I think your dad would rather cut off his arm before upsetting you. I’m sure he had his reasons.”

Traci picked up her fork. Took two bites. “Do you like him?”

Maybe she should stick to a one word answer. YES. But that seemed inadequate. “You know your dad and I met in unusual circumstances.” She’d been the target of a serial killer who had come really close to successfully snuffing out her lights for good.

“And I’ve had some things to deal with,” Tess added, glancing at her arm that ended two inches below her elbow.

“Uh-huh,” Traci said.

Tess heard, Yeah, great. But you didn’t answer my question.

“It’s good,” Tess said. “Right now, it’s very good.”

“Right now?” Traci repeated. “You’re thinking this is short-term?”

“You really are your father’s daughter,” Tess said. She hoped it wasn’t a summer fling but those were conversations that hadn’t yet taken place. “It’s just early in the relationship,” she hedged.

“He hasn’t really dated much since he and Mom got divorced. When he did, I certainly never met any of them. I guess I was surprised this summer when he had the barbecue. He told me about your accident. I think he wanted to make sure that I didn’t stare. I guess that’s when I first thought that this might be something different.”

“I was nervous to have your dad meet my daughter,” Tess confessed. “I didn’t want her to get too hopeful,” Tess added, wanting to be as honest as she could.

Traci stared at her. “I don’t know what I hope for. For so long after the divorce, I hoped that Mom and Dad would get back together. But now, I really don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Tess said nothing.

“I don’t want him to be alone,” Traci said, proving that she was pretty mature. “I mean, I’m off to college next year.”

“Right,” Tess said.

Traci stared at her. “I should probably be going.” She gathered up her tray. “It was good to see you again, Tess. And my dad, well, he said he had a really good time in California.”

Tess watched her walk away. Then picked up her phone and sent a quick text to A.L. Met Traci by chance at the mall. We ate together. She knows that I was in California with you.