Page 76 of Off Limits

“It’s more…it’s become something, uh, more…romantic.” I stop abruptly, unable to think of anything else to say, and then lift my drink to my mouth and take a sip for something to do.

Bob blinks. “You and your…daughter?”

“Stepdaughter,” I correct him. “Ex-stepdaughter.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dani returning to the table and cringe at my own timing. She smiles curiously at both of us as she takes her seat, probably wondering why we each look so uncomfortable.

I take another deep breath. “I was just telling Bob,” I explain to her. “About us.”

There’s a half second where she looks confused, like she doesn’t understand what I mean, and then relief washes over her face. “You were?” She blinks incredulously.

“Yes.” Her reaction makes me care less about Bob’s. It’s pure joy for me to see her this way. I will do anything to make her happy. It doesn’t matter what people think.

“Wow,” Bob says, still looking stunned. “Sorry. This is taking a moment to compute.”

“Of course.” I tear my eyes away from Dani’s glowing face to look at him. “I didn’t mean to shock you. But I do want to be honest with you.”

“Yes,” he says emphatically, nodding his head. “Please. Always. Listen, I can’t judge. I had…I mean, I actually had a sort of similar relationship myself.” He waves a hand, indicating that none of the details are important, but I’m fairly certain he’s talking about his affair with Cynthia from the office. “I mean, she wasn’t my… But there were certain elements… It doesn’t matter. Look, if you’ve found love with each other then I think that’s great.”

“Thanks, Bob,” I say with surprise. I had thought this might be a longer discussion, or a less pleasant one. He seems to be taking the revelation rather well.

It occurs to me that while I’ve often judged Bob for his choices, some of which have seemed immoral to me, I haven’t really given him credit for how non-judgmental he can be of other people.

He leans in and speaks in a low voice. “But, uh, how are you going to play this? You know, around other people. What’s the plan?”

“Well,” I scratch my chin, where I’ve been letting a beard grow in, and lean back in my chair. I turn and look at Dani as I answer his question. “Maybe we don’t play it anymore, you know? Maybe we’re just honest with the world about who we are.”

Dani’s eyes light up, and she nods, pressing her lips together.

“There’s no one we really have to hide it from,” I continue, turning to Bob. “Dani’s eighteen and we don’t even know any of Mel’s family. My family is in Switzerland and we’re not that close. They never even knew Mel that well. Really the most important person to tell in my life…is you, Bob.”

He nods, like he really gets it, and says, “I’m honoured that I’m an important person in your life, Jean-Luc, and I’m glad you shared this with me.” He takes a deep breath and reaches for his drink again. “This, uh, this…relationship I had, the one, ah, before. Well, it really taught me a few things, you know? She helped me to realize that not everybody fits the same pattern. We’re not all cookie cutter versions of people. We don’t have the same life stories, you know, things…” he waves a hand again, “things go in different directions. No one’s the same. If being together is what makes you happy, then you have my complete support.”

“Thank you,” I say, with all the gravity that I feel the occasion deserves, and Dani claps her hands.

“So that’s it, then?” she asks me. “Just like that? We’re out of the closet?”

I laugh warmly and shrug. “We’re out.”

“Ee!” she squeals and jumps up from her chair, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I’m happy about that, Jean-Luc.”

I pat her back. “It’s time.”

“This calls for another drink!” declares Bob, topping up our glasses with the scotch, and pouring a little into Dani’s empty water glass.

“Hey.” I try to stop him but he gives me a solicitous look.

“Oh come on. You just finished telling me she was all grown up!”

Dani sticks her tongue out at me, victorious, and picks up her glass, holding it out for a toast. I clink the heavy highball glass against hers, and then Bob’s, feeling strangely unburdened for the first time for so long.

It’s out. It’s not a secret anymore. We’re just going to be who we are. Dani puts a small arm around my shoulder and leans against me, resting her cheek on my head.

“Look at you lovebirds,” says Bob warmly. “You’ll be the next father of the bride…” His face freezes, stricken. “I mean…”

Dani bursts into laughter, and I can’t help it either. “We know what you mean,” I say, laughing.

“The next wedding could be yours!” he tries again.

“Yes,” I say, looking at Dani. My laughter trails off into a warm smile. “It could be.” She looks back at me happily, beaming love, and I know for certain that our day will come.

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