“You know best.”

“I like him. But men are so damn difficult.”

“Get me in the right mood, I’ll agree with you,” Rina said. “This weekend, your father has been a doll.”

“Maybe it’s me.”

“Want my advice for what it’s worth?”

“Sure.”

“The shirt’s not returnable. It’s for a rather specific taste. Give it to Koby. Otherwise it’ll go to waste.”

The day was spectacular, even if I wasn’t. His car was in the driveway, and for a moment, I just wished it would all go away— all the bad feelings that got in the way of life—so we could hop inside and cruise on an endless highway. I rang the bell, and when he didn’t answer, I went by the side and peered over the gate. This time, the back door wasn’t open, but I could see motion in the garden. I tried the latch, but it was padlocked. He wasn’t expecting visitors, but I didn’t care. I hopped the fence.

“Hello?” I called out.

“In back.”

The orange trees were still heavy with blossoms and perfume. I stopped at the entrance to his backyard. He was right. A week later and the garden had turned all color and aroma. He was trimming the rosebushes, wearing faded jeans, a green tank top, and sneakers without socks. He gave me the courtesy of a glance, then clipped off a stem containing a ruby red bud.

“Wow!” I brushed my black slacks off, dirty from my excursion over the fence. “It’s beautiful back here.”

“Thank you.” He glanced at me, then began to peel thorns off the branch. “But I think I have the better view.”

I thanked him. “How’s the back-room floor coming?”

He spoke to me, though he was focused on the flower. “It’s not coming. I don’t use power tools when I’m upset.”

He held out the stem to me.

I took it and sniffed it. “Très élégant! And as long as we’re in a giving mood …” I lifted the bag. “A little more pedestrian, but like someone said, it’s the thought that counts.”

He regarded my present, wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a shiny gift bag with rope handles. “For me?”

“Unless there’s someone behind you, yes.”

His eyes, although no longer bloodshot, still lacked sparkle. They went from the gift to my face. “I’m utterly stunned. I don’t know what to say.”

“‘Thank you’ is always in fashion.”

“Thank you.”

“Take it and open it.”

He did and pulled out the shirt. His smile was a brilliant crescent of white. “It’s perfect!”

“If you wear it with black on Halloween, people will think you’re a jack-o’-lantern.”

“Especially with my big teeth.” He looked at the label. “Right size.” He held it up to his chest. “What do you think?”

“It says you.”

“Then I think it is in serious trouble.” His smile dimmed, and he put the shirt back in the bag. “I would like to wear it tonight for you. Is that a possibility?”