I almost laughed.
David looked awful.
I said, “Why does he know my name?”
David looked toward the kitchen. “Because I talk about you.”
Noah reappeared. “Constantly.”
“Noah, go away.”
“It’s true.”
David looked embarrassed.
Noah continued. “He shows me pictures of your garden.”
“Please stop helping. I actually don’t even think you are.”
“I’m trying to.”
Despite myself, I smiled for half a second.
Then I remembered why I was angry.
I turned back to David. “Why did you lie?”
“I was ashamed.”
“Of being 81 or did you think I was too young for you?”
“Of looking 81.”
I folded my arms.
“I had cancer two years ago.”
I was not feeling bad about mocking him.
He continued. “I was already aging badly, if that’s a thing. Then treatment took the rest.”
“I’m sorry. That must have been hard. What kind?”
“Colon cancer. I underwent surgery and chemotherapy.”
