“Orlando. My parents worked at Disney World.”

“Wow.” Ian blinked several times in a row. “A fairy-tale childhood.”

“They were ‘custodial cast members’—that’s what Disney calls its janitors.” My parents had hated their jobs and each other. It was probably each one’s own personal hell.

“Wow.”

Most people don’t realize that any job at Disney World, maintenance staff or otherwise, has more dark than light, more pain than pleasure. “I lived in Disney housing for ten years.”

“You’re incredible.”

“No.” I smiled modestly.

“Overcoming … obstacles … hurdles.”

I ate another piece of California roll. I’d mistakenly allowed Ian to order for both of us; obviously risk averse, he’d ordered the least interesting items on the menu. “I called Amelia yesterday,” I said. “She sounded distressed.”

Ian smoothed out the wrinkles in the tablecloth.

“She wouldn’t tell me what was wrong.” The waiter refilled our water glasses. “Do you know?” I had my own thoughts, but I was looking for Ian’s history and perspective.

He sighed. “It’s probably about the baby she wants to have.”

I felt the muscles in my jaw release. “Yes?”

“Fritz says it’s really hard.”

“On their marriage?” I asked.

“Maybe.”

“Of course it would be.”

“Maybe they blame themselves or something.…”

“Solutions exist.”

The waiter cleared our plates away.

Ian brushed away imaginary crumbs from the tablecloth. “Fritz says the whole adoption thing is rough. It’s been two years.”

“There’s surrogacy,” I said.

“Yeah.” He rolled his chopsticks with the palms of his hands. “I know a guy who did that.”

“Could be a friend or a relative,” I said.

“I guess.” He sighed.

The waiter brought the check.

“Ian, I’m so glad that we had this evening together,” I said. “It’s just, there’s an ease. I feel like we’ve known each other forever.” I gently placed my hand on his forearm and rested it there for several minutes. I put my arms around him when I said goodbye. It was an intentionally ambiguous gesture.

CHAPTER FIVE

My prints of Natalie’s birthday party were ready on New Year’s Day, the same day the Straubs returned from their vacation. I don’t usually frame photos for my clients, but I couldn’t resist in this case. I wanted to see my work in their home right away, and I didn’t want to leave it to Amelia and Fritz, who might or might not get it done.

I framed five pictures and placed the best one—Natalie with her balloon unicorn, chin tilted up, laughing, hands up—in a sterling silver frame. I wrapped all of them in a heavy bronze-colored paper that I thought Amelia would like.