Page 77 of Confessions of a High School Guidance Counselor

I nearly dropped my fork. It was the first time he’d initiated conversation with me in quite a while. “Yeah, son?”

“What happened to the house?”

I shook my head. “The deal fell through. We can look for something together this summer.”

Ollie smiled softly, then frowned. “I’m sorry. I know you liked the house.”

I raised my eyebrows. “What am I paying Cecilia? Whatever it is clearly isn’t enough.”

With an eyeroll, Ollie said, “Sorry, lapse in judgement.”

I chuckled and took another spicy bite, following it with a drink of lemonade.

“Dad?”

Again? At this rate, I’d have to erect a trophy in Cecilia’s honor. “What’s up?”

“Have you ever thought about dating?” he asked.

My hand stalled on the fork. In fact, I’d thought about dating a lot lately, and more, even though it was way too soon. “Sometimes,” I admitted.

He nodded, pushing rice around on his plate.

“Why do you ask?”

His shoulders lifted in half a shrug. “Mom just got married so soon, and I... I don’t know. I haven’t really seen you with anyone.”

“I never wanted to introduce you to anyone unless it was serious, you know?” I wished I could tell Ollie about Birdie. How much I liked spending time with her. How lucky he was to have someone like her working at his school. But I needed to respect her privacy too, especially before we made anything official.

Ollie lifted a corner of his mouth. “Because of your mom?”

I nodded. “And because of you. You deserve the best, kid.”

“You know, Dad?” he said. “So do you.”

* * *

That conversation with Ollie left me feeling as high as the moon. Even while he went to his room to finish up on homework and go to bed. Even while I scrubbed the dishes and the table and the sink.

Even when the house was quiet and I went to bed. I couldn’t wait to tell Birdie about our breakthrough, about our first full conversation in weeks that didn’t involve an argument.

Then I realized I didn’t have to wait.

Cohen: You’re not going to believe this. Ollie actually talked to me tonight at dinner. We had a really good conversation.

I settled into my pillows, wishing she was beside me.

Birdie: !!!

Birdie: Cohen, that’s amazing! I’m so happy for you two!

Cohen: I’m happy too. Happier than I’ve been in a long time.

Birdie: :) what do you think made the difference?

Cohen: I’m not sure. Maybe a combination of things. Whatever it is, I hope it stays this way.

Birdie: Me too. You both deserve it.

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