I GET TO THE PERFECT Cup not long after 9 a.m. to find Gladys and Nate seated at one of the outdoor tables. They’re in what looks like an intense conversation. They’re sitting close together, whispering to each other, and Nate is holding her hand. I smile until I see Gladys pull her hand back and shake her head. She says something that I can’t hear, but whatever it is, Nate doesn’t seem too happy. He stands up and looks down at Gladys, who isn’t looking at him.
I enter the cafe and go to the counter, ordering my usual large coffee with extra cream and extra sugar, and a chocolate donut. Order in hand, I head to the patio. I pass Nate on the way back in.
“Nate,” I say, “is everything OK? I saw you talking to Gladys.”
“Huh?” Nate says, confused. “Oh, yeah, hi, Father. Um, yeah, we were ju
