“What is appropriate to wear for a four-year-old's birthday party?” I asked Vivian over the phone as I stared at the white shirt, black jeans, and trousers I had on the bed. I was suddenly having second thoughts about it.

I didn’t want to be overdressed, and I wanted to make an impression on Ela.

"Jesse was barely a year old the last time I checked," Vivian replied, a little startled. “Are you drunk?”

I grunted and said, “I am not; today is Ocean's birthday party. He invited me.”

“Ocean,” he repeated, and he was thinking about the name.

“Ela’s son.”

“Why are you going to Imela’s son's birthday party?” ...