“I’ve heard it all my life. There’s probably some truth to it. For young people, it makes a ton of sense. But by the time you’re my age, you know when something is right.”

“Well, in my case, I could’ve dated Charlie for ten years and not known what he was up to.”

“What was he up to? If I may ask.”

I looked at him, wondering if I should just tell the truth, and then I started to laugh, and I couldn’t stop. He started laughing, too. Finally, he gave me a glass of water and I drank it, calming down at last.

“It was that funny of a breakup?” he said.

“Okay, try this one on for size and tell me what you think. Charlie, who now prefers to be called Charlene, likes to dress up in women’s clothes. He’s moved to Las Vegas hoping to be hired in a revue of female impersonators.”

“You’re shitting me.”

“Nope. And here’s the killer: he doesn’t see why that should have any impact on our marriage.”

“Great God. And you obviously had no idea?”

“No. None. You could’ve knocked me over with your finger.”

“Is he a dancer?”

“Well, he was one of sorts. Drum major with his college marching band. He likes to do high kicks. This is what I’m telling you, Archie. What’s the rush?”

“I hear you,” he said. An almost imperceptible amount of doubt crossed his face. “But, you know, Leslie, I’m no prize.”

“What do you mean? Are you nuts? You’re a total hunk!”

“Please. I’m an old fuddy-duddy with gray temples. I have two children . . .”

“I’m glad you brought them up. Is Sharon the kind of stepmother Carin would want for her boys? If memory serves, your two little guys were the loves of her life, besides you, of course.”

“Oh, I think she’d be thrilled,” he said, and I got the sense he believed it. “Sharon is accomplished and smart and she’s sexy as hell. That’s for sure.”

Great, I thought. So happy to hear she’s sexy. What was I? The Great Sphinx of Giza?

“Does Sharon like them? Do they like her?”

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll get that all worked out. But as Sharon says, they’re going to go to college and leave me. It would be nice to have a companion for myself.”

“Yes, they are going to go to college and leave you. But not for another decade.”

He got quiet then and reached for the wine bottle to refill our glasses. He leaned back and took a long drink and put it down.

“Ten years is a long time, Archie. I mean, I’d be happier if I knew she was crazy about Tyler and Hunter.”

“I’ll see about my boys. Don’t worry about that.”