Page 52 of Scores Of The Heart

“My upbringing.” She sighs. “And I shouldn’t be saying this on our first coffee date, but I think it’s better to just not do that whole pretense thing. It saves a lot of time.”

My lips twitch as I watch her mouth for a second. She’s succulent, every part of her.

“I don’t mind you saying it. You can be upfront with me. I want you to be comfortable,” I say honestly.

“Are you sure about that?”

“Deadly,” I reply, looking right into her eyes. “That’s what this whole process is, isn’t it? Getting to know someone.”

“It is, but I don’t usually lay things out on the line this quickly.”

She has me intrigued, that’s for sure. I wonder if she thinks the same thing about me.

“You mentioned your upbringing?” I say, hoping she will open up a little about that.

“Yeah. I grew up in Buffalo, New York. My parents were pretty religious growing up and strict with us going to church and everything. We ended up moving when I was a senior.

An incident happened before we moved, and he wasn’t quick to forget it. My dad took a lot less interest in the church after that. My mom, however, she’s another story.”

“They’re divorced, yeah?”

“Yeah.” She nods. “She ended up moving to Tacoma after the divorce as she got a transfer with her job. Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if she decided to move back to New York, where all of her friends are. We’re pretty estranged these days, and neither me or my sister see her much.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Me and my sister had lunch with her the other day when she was in town for a couple of days, but it didn’t end well.”

“You got into a fight?”

“Yeah, it’s been that way for a long time,” she sighs. “Not that I want to harp on about that. It was just difficult sometimes growing up. She put a lot of pressure on my sister and I, and she’s very judgmental. It can be a lot.”

“It sounds like it.” I’m surprised, but glad she’s being so open with me. It’s refreshing. “I’m sure it can’t have been easy growing up like that, and now it’s stemming into adulthood.”

“Like you wouldn’t believe.” She sips her coffee slowly. “What about you?”

“Me?”

She smiles, watching me quizzically. “Are your family a little complicated or are you close to them?”

My life has been the exact opposite compared to hers. I have two great parents who get along and I had an awesome upbringing where they always supported us boys.

“It’s very uncomplicated,” I reply. “I’m close to my family. It’s pretty boring compared to most. My dad is a Seattle native, my mom is Greek, but moved to America when she was very young. She is pretty much fully in mine and both my brothers’ lives, but it comes from a good place.”

“I’m glad,” she says with a genuine smile. “Was it two brothers you said you had?”

“Yeah, I’m the eldest out of us three. Dion is a pro-golfer. You might have heard of him?”

She thinks for a moment, then a smile spreads across her face. “Your brother is Dion Peterson? I mean, of course he is. I didn’t click the other day when you told me about them. Your parents must be so proud.”

“They are.” I smile. “But I think they’re most proud of Chris, who has given them their first grandchild. So that’s all my mom cares about now.”

She laughs and I love the sound. I also know they would absolutely love Cindy. “Is that all you hear about now that they have a grandchild to fuss over?”

“Absolutely.” I nod. “You know what parents can be like, always laying the hint.”

Her eyes shift, and something passes in them. I don’t know what, but for a moment she looks a little sad.

Perhaps this isn’t the safest subject, and I should change it.

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