3
With the refrigerator door open, Jack turned to Leo. His son was doing his math homework at the kitchen table in their cottage near the beach. Through open windows, the rhythmic sound of ocean waves and fresh breezes lifted Jack’s spirits. “Pizza or hamburgers tonight?”
Leo looked up and made a face. “Hey, Dad, I saw this cooking show on TV. They made some cool stuff like Aunt Denise does. I can help if you want to try.”
“I thought kids didn’t like the fancy stuff,” Jack said.
“Only some things. I’m getting tired of pizza.”
“Said no kid ever,” Jack replied, laughing. “How about chicken nuggets?”
Leo put his pencil down. “I’m not like every other kid. You know I like a lot of different things, right?”
Jack was desperately trying to figure out everything about Leo, but Vanessa had a
