This was back in the days when Silas could freely open his son’s door. Although, as Silas thought about it, he realized maybe Sean had always wanted privacy, but it was only recently that he learned the vocabulary. He seemed to walk around inside something invisible, everything just a few inches from his skin. Even his clothes were baggy enough that Silas rarely saw the shape of his son’s body. That seemed to be the point.

Silas wiped off his hands the dirt from the vegetable garden, where he grew enough for a couple of highly celebrated salads each summer; then he shaded his eyes and walked up the hill.

“What are you reading?”

Sean tensed at his father’s voice, as if he hadn’t seen him coming the whole way across the lawn.

“Just something I found on the shelf.”

“Is it good?”

Sean shrugged, his own language. Silas sat down next to his son and extended his legs, hoping if he looked comfortable, he might somehow become comfortable.

“So,” he asked, “what do you think of Ruth?”

Sean had been willingly around his sister more in the past week than Silas had seen in years, and it wasn’t about Mickey. Maybe having a crush would be a good thing for Sean, Silas thought. Get him out of his head.

“She’s fine,” Sean muttered.

“I think she seems pretty great,” Silas said, smiling sidelong. “She’s cute too.”

“Gross, Dad.”

“She is! Don’t you think?”

Sean’s face turned red, which made Silas smile more brightly. He sank back into the lounger.

“You totally think so.”

“Whatever.”

“You should talk to her,” Silas went on. “Ask her questions. Girls like it when guys ask questions.”

“Can we not talk about this?”

Silas jostled his son’s shoulder. “The opposite of that.”

Sean shifted on the polyester cushion. “I don’t even understand why she’s friends with Mickey. She’s older, and she’s popular. It’s weird.”

Silas put his hand on his son’s neck and gave him a shake. His neck was wet with sweat, the collar of his T-shirt damp.

“Maybe the Harrisons are more hip than you thought.”

Sean shrugged out from his grip.

“How about you go join them for a swim before dinner? I bet the water feels nice.”

“I’m set,” he said. He got up before Silas could say anything more, and the screen door slammed shut behind him.

“Good talk!” Silas yelled, his hands flat and wide on his knees.