“Hey,” she said, surprised to see him, but trying not to show it. He’d mostly been keeping his distance since Los Angeles. No doubt guilt about the plans he’d made with his father.

“This place is cool,” he told her. “I didn’t think it would be, but I like it.”

“Me, too.” She pointed to several fish swimming past them. “I think that’s a rockfish. I’ve eaten rockfish and now I feel guilty.”

Coop grinned. “You didn’t eat that one.”

“No, but I could have scarfed down a cousin or sibling. I’m a horrible person.”

“You’re not.”

She glanced up at her very tall son. “Are you having a good time?”

“Yeah. Seeing the different colleges is interesting.”

“Stanford’s tomorrow. Are you nervous?”

He shifted his weight. “A little. I want to make a good impression.”

“You will. You know what to do. You’re smart and, thanks to me, you’re articulate.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Thanks to you?”

“Excellent genes and years of training. I know what I’m doing when it comes to the kid thing. I have mad skills.”

He surprised her by hugging her. “You do, Mom.”

She held on as long as he did, then released him when he stepped back.

“Let’s go look at the otters,” she said, pointing in the direction of their habitat. “I won’t feel so guilty watching them play. I’ve never eaten an otter.”

“Mom. No one eats otters. They’re like dogs or something.”

“Someone has. You know they tried.”

“That’s gross.”

“Yes, it is.”

They stood together, watching the otters swim around. Ellen sensed there was more conversation to be had, so she kept her body language relaxed, as if she had plenty of time to wait and listen.

“I’ve heard from my dad,” Coop told her, keeping his gaze on the playful mammals.

“I’m glad he’s staying in touch. You didn’t say much about your lunch with him. Did it go well?”

“We talked a lot. He’s got a couple of kids. Girls. Seven and maybe five. I can’t remember. I guess they’re my half sisters.”

Ellen did her best not to react to that bit of information. She’d known Jeremy had more children but hadn’t put together that they were Cooper’s half siblings. She was not happy about the connection but knew there was nothing to be done about it.

“You’re good with children,” she pointed out, proud of herself for sounding so reasonable. “You’ve been a mentor at the elementary school for three years.”

“But this is different.” He turned to her. “How come you never said anything bad about him? He got you pregnant, then left. He was my age. I’d never do that.”

“Everyone’s different. I don’t think his parents were happy about what had happened. For all I know, it was their idea.”

“You wouldn’t want me to walk away from the girl or the baby.”

She debated how to answer, then went for humor. She poked him in the chest and said, “Then wear a condom, young man. Your penis should never be naked around a girl, even if you are.”