Page 39 of How We Fooled

“I will. Just let me finish this.”

She goes back to her drawing, and we all go to the kitchen, where my mom is getting dinner ready.

“Where’s Dad?” I ask.

“He’s checking on something with the pool.”

I nod my head toward out back. “Come on. I’ll introduce you.”

She grins at my mom, then follows me out back, stopping short when she sees the sanctuary my parents have created. The infinity pool overlooks the valley with a massive pergola that’s covered in wisteria, which is in full bloom with purple little flowers.

“Wow,” she says in awe. “It’s beautiful out here.”

I nod in agreement, then yell out, “Dad.”

He hears us and puts down the tool he had in the pool to come greet us. With his hand stretched out, he says, “You must be Liza. Nice to finally meet you. I’m David.”

They shake hands.

“Nice to meet you,” Liza says. “Your backyard is amazing.” She looks around in awe again.

“Yeah, Heather calls it her private oasis back here. I just do what I’m told to make it happen,” he says with a laugh.

I nod. “He really does. He did all of this on his own.”

“Besides the pool. I didn’t do that,” Dad clarifies.

“Okay, yeah, he didn’t install the pool, but he did build the pergola and planted the landscape out here.”

Dad places his hand on my shoulder. “That I did. It’s good to get out of the office and get back here as much as I can.”

“So, it’s kind of a sanctuary for both you and your wife then?” Liza asks.

Dad nods. “That it is. I think Mom has planned for us to eat dinner out here since it’s such a nice night out. Why don’t you get Liza here something to drink, and then you can head back out to join me in the shade?”

“Sounds good,” I reply, then hold my hand out to Liza in invitation for her to follow me back to the house.

We head back to the kitchen, and before I can say anything, Liza speaks up first. “How can I help?”

This, of course, makes my mom very happy. She taught me that good manners include always offering to help in any way you can. So, when she looks my way with a small grin, I know that was a big plus in Liza’s court for her—though I doubt she needed any points at all.

“Thank you for offering. Why don’t you take these rolls out and this pitcher of water to put on the table? Ava is getting ready to set the table now, so you can help her, too, while you’re out there,” Mom replies.

Liza grabs the two items, and Ava is quick on her heels with the place mats, napkins, and silverware, having more of a pep in her step now that she gets to work with Liza.

“She’s adorable,” Mom says once she’s out of earshot. “Did you guys have fun camping?”

Flashes of things I should not talk to my mom about pop in my head, and I’m quick to turn around so she doesn’t see my face.

Instead, I respond with, “Yeah. It was relaxing. Just lay in the hammock for most of today.”

“I’m glad you’ve found someone who enjoys the silence as much as you do.”

“Me too. She’s”—I glance out the sliding glass door to where she’s laughing at something with Ava—“different. You know?”

Mom nods. “Yeah, I know. I can see it in your eyes. I’m happy for you.”

She wraps her arms around me in a big hug which I allow and even hug her back.

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