leaving Rachel behind.
“Hey.”
“Dad.”
Up close, his gaze searched Michael’s face without recognition.
“This your friend?” he asked me.
Michael flicked me a look, clearly enjoying the absurdity.
“Daniel,” I said, “this is Michael.”
Daniel offered his hand. “Daniel Harper.”
“Michael Lawson.”
“Are you from Columbus?”
“Portland now.”
“How do you know Claire?”
Ben coughed into his hand to disguise a laugh. Michael answered evenly.
“We go back a long way.”
“How long?”
“Very.”
Daniel grew irritated. “College?”
Michael scratched his beard. “Before that.”
Rachel arrived carrying two wineglasses, handed one to Daniel, and said, “I thought we were going to dinner.”
“In a minute.”
Her gaze shifted between us with the promise of an argument. Michael’s phone vibrated.
“My daughter.”
He moved aside. Ben kissed my cheek, announced, “I’m going back inside.” He clapped Michael on the shoulder on his way past.
“See you inside, Uncle Mike.”
Silence
