Page 155 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
“I graduated in 2015 from the University of Miami with my journalism degree. It’s actually funny that you mention you’re from New York. My dream is to be a reporter for the New York Times.”
Her green eyes sparkled with excitement. It was the first time that I had seen her face without the sadness it usually held. She looked like a different woman. For once, she didn’t seem burdened by trying to fit into a mold or being an outcast. I liked this side of her.
“You’re kidding me! My dream growing up was to be a reporter for the New York Times. I would always go into the city and dream about working in the offices, being the top dog at the Times.”
“So why did you leave New York, then?” she asked. It was a fair question.
“My dad got a job down here. Plus, The Times is a tough gig,” I said. “I tried but couldn’t even get in there at the very bottom. I found this job shortly after college and never looked back.”
I watched as her face fell with disappointment.
“Did I say something wrong?” I asked. The mood had noticeably changed.
“No,” she said. “It’s just… if you can’t get into The Times, I definitely can’t get in there. Just another one of my stupid dreams, I guess.”
Just like that, the insecurity was back. I wish there was something that I could do to help her realize what a talented woman she was. I would just need to continue to work on it.
“It’s not a stupid dream,” I told her. “Believe me, your fact checking gig is just a stepping stone to something bigger and better. Trust me. If there is ever a place for advancement, I’m recommending you.”
She smiled and wiped a tendril of hair from her face.
“That’s nice, but you don’t even know me.”
“I know your work,” I responded. “I know that you’re one of the best fact checkers that I have ever worked with. I know that you always do a great job and you’re the one I prefer to work with. I know that your work is thorough and timely. When you have traits like that, you carry them with you to any job.”
She shrugged.
“Well, thank you,” she replied. “I really do appreciate you having confidence in my abilities. I have been lacking in that area for quite a while.”
Before she could continue to speak, or I could ask more questions, the waiter appeared with our dinner.
Dammit, I cursed him. It was the first time I was irritated by speedy service. I wanted to see if she would say more, but the conversation turned to our Cuban food.
“I should probably tell you something before we go any further,” I said after the food talk died down. I wanted to tell Tiffany about Austin. If she didn’t want to date a single dad, I would need to know that before I fell for her. She looked at me nervously.
“I have a son,” I admitted. She smiled and let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank God,” she laughed. “I thought you were going to tell me this whole dinner was some office joke! A son, I can deal with. What’s his name?”
“His name is Austin,” I said. “He’s four, and he’s my whole world. I just wanted to let you know upfront.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that. Do you have a picture of him?”
I retrieved my phone. I had thousands of pictures of Austin. I picked my recent favorite and showed Tiffany. She smiled.
“He’s so cute,” she said. “He looks like you.”
There was an awkward silence and I wondered if she was thinking about Austin’s mom. I hoped she wouldn’t ask about her, because that was one topic that I didn’t feel comfortable discussing right now. The dreaded “C” word would have ruined the whole night. Luckily, I was able to quickly switch the subject.
The rest of dinner went well, but it never got back to that personal level like it had earlier in the night. I took it as a win, though. She was finally opening up to me. Slowly, but surely. Hopefully there would be more time in the future to ask questions and get answers.
Since it was a work night, I decided to take it easy and not extend the evening. Not that I wanted it to end. I could have stayed at dinner with her all night or taken her out for more drinks, but I did not want to press my luck.
After we arrived back at her place, I parked the car on the side of the street and walked around to open her door.
Damn, you’re a gentleman, I thought to myself as I opened her car door.
“Can I walk you to your door?” I asked her. She nodded with a smile. I reached for her hand. It took her a second to extend her hand and place it into mine.
