Page 142 of Debugging Love

“Let’s try the walking path,” I say.

We cross the parking lot and find respite in the shadows of the oak trees. The path curves around a building and then veersleft at the property line, leading us to a park bench overlooking the marsh. Dadi is there, sitting quietly, sweating rivers. We approach tentatively, earning a glance before she refocuses on the picturesque view.

“This place smells bad,” she says.

“It’s worse on hot days.”

“It’s beautiful but it stinks.”

“You get used to it.”

Mom and I approach from both sides in case she decides to run again.

“It’s hot, Dadi. Let’s go back inside.” I sit beside her and offer my hand.

“No, no, no. Leave me be. You two go about your way. I need time to think.”

Rather than leave, I scoot back and take in the view. Mom sits too. The three of us watch a heron part the grass and plunge its beak into the water.

“I’m sorry, Dadi. I know I’m disappointing you.”

She turns toward me, places her blazing hot hand on my cheek. “Adi, I am proud of you. You’re smart and handsome and kind and logical and thoughtful. I’m proud of you for being brave enough to come back to America and build a life here.” She lowers her hand. “I want you to be happy, and if that girl in the tank top makes you happy, then I’m happy.”

“Her name is Danni.”

“I know.”

“Are you going to call her by her name?”

“Maybe.”

A gentle breeze passes through and gives us momentary relief. Dadi shows no sign of moving, and I’m not leaving if she doesn’t. I stretch out my legs to make myself more comfortable.

“An AI bot matched Danni and me together.”

Dadi’s brow wrinkles up. “An AIbot?”

“Yeah. Cupid from MatchAI.com. Our first date was horrible. I didn’t expect to see her again. But we ran into each other here in the parking lot.” I gesture that way.

“Is she a stalker?” Dadi asks.

“No. We’re neighbors.”

I have Mom’s attention. She pivots to get a better look at me.

“And then we ran into each other at work.”

“You work together too?” Mom asks.

“Yep.”

Mom presses her hand against her mouth, trying not to let her smile stretch too far.

I flick a gnat off my arms. “I thought it was all just coincidence until the boss sat us right next to each other.”

Now I have Dadi’s undivided attention. She leans away from me and gives me Sponge Bob Square Pants eyes.

“And then…”

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