Page 106 of The Fix-Up

When you find a person attractive, that’s what love is.

—ELLA F., AGE 10

From the group text chats of Ellie, Ali, and Mae:

ALI: Abe says he is not in love with you.

ELLIE: That’s good news since I’m not in love with him. We had a good time though. Talked about our kids the whole time.

ALI: Ugh. You people with kids never shut up about it. Yes, yes. You have kids. I GET IT.

ELLIE: Wait until you get one.

MAE: Look at this photo of Louisa. Look what she can do now!!! Isn’t she the cutest, sweetest, most precious thing you’ve ever seen?

ALI: She’s laying on a blanket. I expected more from the three exclamation points. What exactly is it she’s doing?

MAE: She’s smiling and it’s not from gas.

ELLIE: She’s adorable! I remember the day Oliver did that. I should find those photos. I think I took a hundred of them.

ALI: I need new friends.

“How you doing, Ellie?” Teddy asked as he traipsed into the café a couple of weeks later, wearing a worn t-shirt and a pair of shorts. He still looked too thin, but he was lighter these days. Spring had melted into an early summer and now, in late May, we were already getting scorchers in the nineties.

Gil was finally, cautiously, speaking to Teddy. I liked to think it was because of our talk a few weeks ago but whatever had spurred him on, it was nice to see the two of them looking through photos together or talking about Teddy and Ollie’s childhood. Gil was always kind and polite and they never seemed to veer into more serious topics.

“Let’s get you something to eat, shall we?” I ushered him into the dining area. Gil was already there with a stack of file folders.

“Gilbert,” Teddy said, giving him a hearty pat on the back. “What do you have here?”

“Lots of stuff. I found it all in Ollie’s room.” He opened one of the folders and removed a stack of photos. “Have a seat. I bet you know the people in these photos.”

I left to get Teddy’s place and returned as he was saying, “…and we snuck out of the house to do it.”

“What happened after?” Gill asked.

Teddy chuckled. “Amelia ratted us out ’cause we wouldn’t let her come, too. Whoo-ee, I got a whupping for that. I haven’t thought about that in a long time.” He smiled wistfully before setting the photos aside and pulling the plate of meatloaf and mashed potatoes toward him. “Glad you found those.”

“I made copies so those are all yours.”

“That’s awfully nice of you.” He pointed with his fork at me. “Isn’t he a nice guy?”

Gil picked up another file folder. “I was hoping I could go over this stuff with you.”

With a flourish, Teddy unfolded a paper napkin and laid it across his lap. “I suppose it’s time to answer your questions. Ollie said you’d have some.”

“I’ll let you two talk.” I rose from my seat, but Gil stopped me.

“I think you should stay.”

“Okay.” I folded myself back in the seat.

“So, what’s the story, Teddy?” Gil asked. “What happened with Ollie and my grandmother?”

“It’s a long, sad one.” He took a bite, his expression thoughtful. “I don’t look so good in this, I guess. But here goes…”

As Teddy explained, Ollie and Amelia had been sweethearts for as long as the both of them seemed old enough to understand what it meant. “Joined at the hip, those two. Heck, I was Ollie’s best friend, and she was my sister, and I was the one who usually felt like the third wheel.”

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