“You’ve really given this a lot of thought, haven’t you?”

Lucia nodded enthusiastically. “I also have to admit that I just thought you would be ideal for Mary to start dating again. She hasn’t gone out on a date since Alex. Almost four years. She told me a few months ago that she was thinking about dating again, and I knew it would have to be someone who was experienced, but not a bullshitter. And you, Jodi… you may be a ‘player’, but you are very honest. She’s been taken advantage of by deceitful people in her past, and she doesn’t need that again.”

“I’m glad you trusted me with her; she does seem like a great person,” Something in Lucia’s response had triggered Jodi’s natural curiosity. “By the way, who’s Alex?”

“Alexander. You know? Her kid.”

“Who’s kid?”

“Mary’s.”

Jodi almost choked on her Katsuo; surely she had read the wrong thing on the curator’s lips. The expression on Tom’s face told her it was just wishful thinking.

The redhead’s reaction wasn’t overlooked by Lucia. “Ay Dios mío… she didn’t tell you about him,” she gasped.

“Of course she didn’t!” replied Jodi as if the answer had been obvious. “I wouldn’t have asked her out if I had known.”

“What? But you really like her. What does that have to do with her having a kid?”

“Let’s start with the fact that I’m supposed to be the first person she’s dated since she had the kid. I mean, how old is Alex? Are we talking months now or years? If its years, do you have any idea how much pressure you put on my shoulders by telling me that? And since we are on the subject, who’s the father or the other mother? Was she married before? What’s the status of the relationship there? I am so not in the mood to deal with angry exes, so just tell me.”

Lucia was adamant against the idea. “Oh no… I’ve already said enough. You’ll have to ask her. When are you seeing her again?”

“Dinner. Saturday.” Her appetite had gone down the drain… again. “Shit, you should have told me about this yesterday.”

“I’m sorry.” Lucia seemed genuinely contrite. “I didn’t give it much thought because I don’t consider it a big deal.”