He placed another plank on the saw boards.
I straightened. "I should probably say hi to my parents. Can I get you a drink?"
"Water would be good."
I picked up my backpack and went in the rear door. My parents were in the kitchen. Mom was chopping vegetables at the sink and Dad was sitting at the table, both facing the window with a clear view of the backyard ... and Rafe.
We did the usual "how was your day" stuff, but it was awkward, like we were all trying very hard not to be the first to mention the new guy in our yard. Finally, I thanked Mom for letting him take a shot at the plans.
"He seems to know what he's doing," she said. "And it is a nice gesture. Very sweet."
She said sweet in a weird way, like it surprised her or like she wasn't sure what to make of it.
Dad said, "I'd be a lot more impressed if he wasn't skipping school to do it." His tone told me he wouldn't be impressed at all, school or no school.
Neither seemed particularly thrilled to have him in our backyard. I wondered what they'd heard about him. No, strike that. I didn't need to wonder. If anything negative was being said about "the new boy," they'd heard it. My parents weren't as involved in the town as others, but that only meant they heard gossip the next day rather than within the hour.
"So ..." Mom said, chopping a pepper from the garden. "I didn't know you were friends with Rafael."
I shrugged as I added ice to an empty glass. "It's recent."
She pushed the peppers into a bowl. "That tree house is a big undertaking. More than I'd expect from a new friend."
"Are you seeing him?" Dad cut in. "Dating?"
"I don't know."
"How can you not know? Either you are or--"
"Rick," Mom said.
I filled a glass with water and took a couple cans of pop. Grabbed granola bars, too. Then I said, "It seems to be heading that way. Is it a problem?"
Dad looked like he wanted to say "Hell, yes," but only pressed his lips together and looked at Mom. She took a cucumber from the pile of vegetables, and I knew I'd hurt her feelings. Normally, I'd come home and say, "Hey, Mom, I met this guy," and tell her all about him. But this was different. I wasn't ready to talk about Rafe until I had it worked out myself.
"If you have a concern ..." I didn't finish, because I wasn't sure how to. Was I saying I wouldn't go out with a guy if they were worried? Normally, yes. With Rafe, no. It wouldn't matter what they thought or said. I had to make my own choices here, pay the price if I made the wrong ones.
"Just be careful," Mom said.
"I always am." I kissed her cheek and gave Dad a hug, and I'm not sure if that helped or not.
Rafe and I talked for over an hour as he worked. Once we started, the conversation just kept going, from one topic to another. I sat on the grass, dividing my attention between Fitz and Kenjii.
It was after five when he looked up at the blazing sun, wiped his forehead and said, "I was just thinking about this afternoon, when I mentioned that swim to Hayley. I could really go for one now, if you're game."
When I didn't answer, he glanced over, squinting as he tried to see my expression.
"I don't really swim."
"Me neither. Just paddle around, cool off. We could--" The sun went behind the clouds and he got a good look at my face. "That's not what you mean, is it?"
"I just don't swim much lately, and the only lake in easy walking distance is the one--"
"Where your friend drowned last year." He put down the hammer and shook his head. "I'm sorry. That was really inconsiderate."
"No, it wasn't." I got to my feet. "We could, but I'd just rather not. If you want to do something, there's a place I can show you. For climbing. Not exactly the break you had in mind, but there's an overlook at the top. It's a great view."
"Sure."