A Father's Name(62)

He forced a laugh and said, “Obviously, you didn’t mean you love me. And you’re right, we’ve both changed since then.”

The only constant in life is change. He should get that tattooed, a la North, as a reminder. Neither he, nor Angelina were the same people they were back then. He had her in the here and now, but soon that would change and when it did, he’d adapt.

Somehow they muddled through their dinner, what had once been so comfortable and easy, was suddenly strained and awkward. Tyler wished he hadn’t mentioned the beach, but he had, so after their meal, they drove partway down the thirteen mile stretch of the peninsula, and parked near the Stull Center’s building.

They walked to the beach in silence.

Not silence exactly. Presque Isle State Park was filled with people in the summer. It was alive with sounds and activity. People talking, walking dogs, music playing, cars driving by.

The noises helped mask the silence between him and Angelina.

They found a vacant picnic table and sat down. The sun still had a bit to go before it sank behind the water.

“Not the date you’d hoped for,” he finally said. He realized he should be happy the date had tanked. It might make not having a second easier. Well, easier for Angelina.

“Even if there was a bit of eerie silence,” she started admitting what he’d already known, “I’d still rather have a date like that with you than a perfect date with anyone else. I guess that’s the problem.”

He didn’t have a clue what she was talking about. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“Oh, I know that. And I think I have a T-shirt that says as much.”

“Of course you do.” It was a joke that fell as flat as the rest of the date had, but he laughed obligingly.

She paused, as if considering her words and finally said, “When you asked me out before, well, I knew we wouldn’t suit. We were too different.”



“Designer suits versus jeans,” he said, remembering this conversation.

Angelina nodded. “More than that, though. You were worried about appearances. The best suits, the best cars. Now, not so much. That was the point I was trying to make before. That first man, I wouldn’t have wanted to date him for anything more than a physical attraction. Now?” She paused again.

Tyler knew that talking about things like this didn’t come any easier to Angelina than it came to him. “It’s okay. We don’t have to—”

“It’s not okay. I want you to understand. You’re not the same man. When I first saw your house, I was surprised. It wasn’t what I expected—what I’d envisioned you living in. And I don’t think it’s a house you would have considered a couple years back. You’ve changed. And I’ve changed. Somehow over the last two years, we’ve grown into people that do fit. Two people who share the same values.”

“Values?” He’d never thought of his values. He had some. He didn’t lie. He worked hard.

“Family first,” Angelina said. “Care for others. Help when you can. Work hard. Enjoy life…” She rattled off a list she’d obviously been thinking about. “We fit. And you’re still going to walk away soon. You regretted asking me out tonight—”

“Not regretted. I don’t regret anything to do with you, Tucker.” He purposefully didn’t call her Angelina, and it was apparent she recognized that fact.

“But you had second thoughts,” she maintained.



“Because I care about you.”

She moved her hand forefinger to thumb. “Blah, blah, blah. I know this particular speech. And as nice as tonight’s been, I’m going to agree with you.”

“About?”

“Us. Bart leaves for school soon. I really need to spend some time with him, helping him shop and pack for his dorm. And with school starting, you should be able to find somewhere for Jace in town. I’ve never been one for stretching a relationship beyond what it is. I think we’ve stretched this one as far as we should.”

Tyler knew he should be happy. This was what he wanted for her, and yet her words hurt. “As a matter of fact, I think I have a sitter. A Mrs. Kovalski. Mrs. Keller suggested her. She’s had her neighbor’s children during the summer, but with them going back to school, she’s interested in meeting with me and Jace. She’d be able to start with him in a week at my house if we fit. I think the continuity of being home would be a good thing.”