Page 61 of Home Safe

ME

When’s the last time you talked with your parents?

DANAE

Going straight for the kill today, huh?

ME

Opening myself up to an equally devastating question. But you can divert to something more lighthearted if you wish.

DANAE

Thanksgiving. Our interactions have been mostly limited to tense holidays for several years now. I let them know that I was going to be adopting Jason. Needless to say, they did not approve.

ME

Why wouldn’t they approve of you providing love and support to a little boy who needed it? Who you already knewand loved?

DANAE

A single mother of a “troubled” child isn’t exactly marriage material to wealthy, eligible bachelors.

In their minds, I was further ruining my prospects. Or their prospects for me, I guess I should say.

ME

So they haven’t met Jason, I assume?

DANAE

No. I’ve danced around explaining why to him.

ME

Their loss.

Ok, hit me with your best shot.

DANAE

How much flexibility do you have in your training and game schedule? If something comes up and I need you, how likely are you to be available?

ME

The ugly truth or the glossy truth?

DANAE

The TRUTH truth. I need to know what I’m settingmyself up for.

ME

Not a lot of flexibility. I mean of course medical and family emergencies come up and guys take time off. But when we’re traveling, I can’t necessarily hop on a plane and be there in a matter of hours. Especially if it’s not deemed an emergency situation. I’d jeopardize my spot on the team if I come across as uncommitted.

After a minute of the text bubbles of Danae's response starting and stopping, they ultimately stop. I run a hand over my beard, worried that I wastoohonest. I send a follow-up text when I can't take the silence any longer.

ME

---