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We went around to the front of the house, and he unlocked the garage with a keypad. When he raised the door, I exclaimed, “Holy shit, Aleksei, this is amazing!” He’d revealed a vintage, metallic blue Aston Martin convertible, and I asked, “Why wouldn’t you drive this every single day of your life? It’s so cool!”
“I guess I’m used to having a driver.” He paused and studied the car as he said, “I bought this after my divorce. I’d always wanted one, but now it feels extravagant and impractical. Also, I think it probably screams ‘midlife crisis.’ I should sell it.”
“Don’t you dare! You deserve this car, Aleksei. You work a million hours a week, and you never treat yourself.”
He grinned embarrassedly. “That’s not entirely true.”
A laugh slipped from me when I got his meaning. “Okay, yes, you treated yourself to me. Good job there.”
“You really don’t think this car is ridiculous and indulgent?”
“No, not at all. But you don’t need my or anyone else’s approval. It’s your life, and if you want to enjoy the fruits of your labor, then why the hell not?”
His grin turned into a smile. “You’re definitely an enabler.”
“I’m good with that.”
He kissed my forehead, and a glimmer of anticipation appeared in his eyes as he said, “Get in.”
We ended up driving down the coast with the top down, and Aleksei was transformed. He looked relaxed and blissfully happy as the wind whipped our hair and classic rock played on the radio.
Eventually, we stopped for refreshments at a funky little beachside bar. We sat on the deck and chatted for a couple of hours, and on the way back to the car, Aleksei pulled me close and kissed me. Then he said, “Thanks for indulging me with this excursion. I feel like I’m on vacation right now, and about a million miles from the office and all my responsibilities.”
“Good.”
“I’d wanted us to go out and do something special today,” he told me, as we stood in the middle of the mostly empty parking lot and he brushed my curls from my eyes. “I was thinking maybe we’d go out to dinner in the city, but this is so much better.”
“Is there something significant about today?”
“It’s my forty-fifth birthday.”
“Happy birthday! I wish you’d told me sooner. I would’ve baked you a cake.”
He lowered his gaze and murmured, “I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
“But it is a big deal. Thank you for letting me celebrate with you.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
I touched his cheek and asked, “Why do you look sad?”
“I just…I thought my son Lenny might send me a message today, since it’s my birthday. I’ve been reaching out to him, trying to reconnect, and I guess I got my hopes up.”
It was surprising to hear him mention his son. He never talked about him, and now I could see why, given the pain in his eyes.
“There’s still time.”
He shook his head. “Last I heard, he was in Europe. It’s evening by now.”
“I’m sorry, Aleksei.”
“I shouldn’t have brought this up,” he said softly.
I took his hand and tried to get his birthday back on track. “Come on, let’s take a long walk on the beach, and then let’s keep driving down the coast for a while. Today should be all about living in the moment.”
He nodded and stood up a little straighter. “You’re right, and I’m going to make that my goal for the rest of the day.”
It was dark by the time we cut across the peninsula to East Palo Alto. When we stepped through the doors of IKEA, I said, “Perfect timing. It was probably packed earlier today, but since they’re closing in about an hour, it looks like we pretty much have the place to ourselves.”
“This is the biggest store I’ve ever seen. Where do we start?”
“I’ve never been to this particular location, so let’s just dive in.” I took his hand, and we picked a direction at random and started walking.
After a while, we came across a bin of big, squishy stuffed animals. I grabbed one and exclaimed, “I need this!”
“What is it?”
“What does it look like?”
Aleksei knit his brow as he studied the toy. “A seal, but also a unicorn? A sealicorn?”
I laughed and told him, “It’s a narwal.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope.”
He peered into the bin and murmured, “Oh wow, there’s an octopus.” He reached out and touched its big, orange head. “It’s really soft.”
I grabbed the octopus and thrust it into his arms. “You need this.”
“No, I don’t.” Even though he said that, he hugged it and ran his hand over its plush surface.
“It’s dirt cheap and adorable. It has to come home with you.”
When he looked at me with hope in his eyes, I caught a glimpse of the little boy he’d once been—the boy who’d had to get used to doing without. “You don’t think it’s silly for a man my age?”
