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“A table for two,” said Paul cheerfully

“By the ?” The host gestured to a table in the far corner, next to the

“Yes” Paul moved to follow the host as he retrieved tworoo about the little girl and that she was still playing her music loudly and erratically Julia wondered briefly if the little girl was autistic Regardless, she was appalled at the older man’s behavior

She addressed the host “Maybe we could trade tables with the girl and her irl ht like to look out theand she’d be able to play with her book in peace”

The host glanced in the direction of Julia’s hand, noting the increasing discomfort of the other diners

“Excusemother and child

The e in Arabic, and then the lish

“Maia, we can sit by theIsn’t that nice? We can look out at the cars”

The little girl followed her esture to the table in the corner She blinked a little behind her thick glasses and nodded

“Maia, can you say thank you?”

The girl’s name seemed to carry across the restaurant At the sound of it, Julia startled She found herself staring at the child, her body frozen

Maia looked up at the host and mumbled, while the mother smiled at Julia and Paul

A few minutes later, mother and child were happily situated in the corner The little girl pressed her face against the , looking outside at the cars and pedestrians, her otten

Julia and Paul were seated at the other table, next to the now triumphant older man They ordered a few plates to share and quietly sipped their drinks

“You didn’t ask hts

“I knew you wouldn’t ht In fact, it’s better that you dealt with the situation because I was about to walk over to that guy and talk to him What a jerk”

Julia looked at the man who’d been so censorious and shook her head

“I don’t knohy I continue to be surprised by people’s insensitivity But I alad you are I know too many cynical people”

“So do I”

Paul’s eyes flickered to theto have a Maia of your own anyti to jar her

“No Uazed at her for aconcern

“You look panicked Are you worried about having kids?”

She lowered her eyes

“No, I want kids But later on” She sipped her water “How’s your father?”

Paul considered exploring her anxiety but thought better of it

“He’s okay I’ out, so I had to let ?”

He snickered “Terrible I don’t have a lot of time to write, and now Professor Picton is pissed with o and it isn’t finished”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Not unless you want to write the dao on the job market this fall, but Picton won’t let hed loudly “I’ to be on the farer I’m there, the harder it is to write”