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The somberness Myla had seen earlier returned.

“Hi, Mr. Dante!”

A child no older than seven years old screamed excitedly as he ran to Dante. He smiled brightly, showing off his small white teeth and the empty spaces where teeth once were. When Dante looked down and saw who had gripped him in a bear hug, the largest smile spread across his face.

“Hey, Eli. What’s going on, man?” Dante asked excitedly.

“I told Mommy and Daddy it was you that walked in, and they said it wasn’t you. When are you coming back? Is this your wife? She’s really pretty. Hi, my name is Eli Beverly,” Eli waved to Myla, then turned back to Dante. He wanted answers to all of his questions.

“Eli, where are your parents?” Dante laughed.

“We’re right here,” a woman answered, her voice warm and amused.

Dante looked up to see a couple he hadn’t seen in years.

“I’m so sorry about that, Dante. Eli was determined to prove that it was you. Hi, I’m Eli’s mom, Lila. This is his father and my husband, Aaron.” The woman smiled sweetly as she waved at Myla.

Myla smiled but didn’t speak. She thought that if she opened her mouth, she’d throw up. Aaron waved timidly and looked down at the floor. Looking into her eyes was something that he couldn’t do.

“Lila. Aaron. It’s so good to see y’all again. It’s so packed in here that I didn’t see you when I walked in,” Dante answered truthfully.

“It is ok. We’re about to get out of here. Eli, let’s go. Let’s allow Dante and Myla some privacy to enjoy their meal,” Lila said. Eli was clinging to Dante like a koala. He refused to let go of his leg.

“I want to stay.”

Dante laughed. “Eli, it was really good to see you. But Ms. Myla and I have plans for the day. So unfortunately, you can’t stay. But if you’re good for your mom and dad, I’ll make a special appearance just for you. Ok?”

“Ok,” Eli answered, sounding a little dejected. He released Dante’s leg and looked to Myla. He tilted his head, studying her curiously. “Are you Mr. Dante’s wife?”

12

“Are you Mr. Dante’s wife?” he asked again, lowering his voice as if he were asking something secretive.

Myla laughed softly, shaking her head. “No, I’m not.”

“Do you want to be?”

“Eli! It’s time to go. It was nice seeing you again, Dante, and nice to meet you, Ms. Myla,” Lila said as she grabbed her son’s hand and pulled him and her husband out of the restaurant.

Dante stood, still smiling; there was something tender in his eyes.

“He’s adorable. I assumed he was your nephew.”

“No, I used to be a Tee ball coach. It was something I did every summer until work became so hectic. Eli was my star student. His mother made sure Eli followed a strict sports routine, and it was noticeable,” Dante explained.

“You say his mom made sure he was well-rounded in sports. What was his father doing?” Myla asked.

“I don’t know. I think he’s a barber. So, I assumed he was cutting hair. He didn’t make it to very many practices or games,” Dante stated as he cut another piece of his omelet.

“Or maybe he was neglecting his family so he could bend other men over.”

Dante nearly choked on his omelet. He grabbed his glass of water to aid with pushing the food down his throat.

“Are you ok?” Myla asked.

“Why would you say that?” Dante asked, drinking his ice water to clear his throat.

“Have you ever heard the phrase ‘six degrees of separation’?”