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“Wait, how much older am I?”
“I’m twenty-four,” she said. “Did you think I was older?”
“No, not at all, but I can’t believe I’m thirty-two. Jeez, I’m eight years older than you are.”
“Time flies. So no, I don’t know how people lived without cell phones. My parents have a landline and it rings constantly. It would drive me nuts.”
“I can take a deep breath. But this is really living paycheck to paycheck.”
“You’re proving you can do it, though, and that’s what counts.”
“They’ll let me appeal the suspension after I have six months’ documentation under my belt. Clean and sober, good work record, good report from my counselor. You’re making it really easy, Sofia.”
“Look, I just live here,” she said. “You’re the one doing all the work, making all the effort. I don’t know how a person bounces back from what you’ve been through, but you’re doing it.”
“Thank you for all your help,” he said. “To show my appreciation, I’d like to take you to dinner tonight.”
Was this a date? They hadn’t had a date since he moved in, just talking and beach walks, wine on the balcony.
“I’d like to go to dinner.”
He took her to a famous steak house in San Diego. The dining room was situated right on the water. Following the maître d’ through the dining room felt surreal. A grand piano in the center of the room with the pianist accompanying a jazz singer, and the floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a moonlit-washed ocean view made the evening extra special, like prom. That thought made her grin, but she didn’t say it out loud. Whether or not it would be romantic was yet to be determined. So far, they were roommates getting to know each other.
But about twenty minutes into the meal, all chances of romance were pretty much thwarted when a middle-aged couple suddenly stopped by their table right after their meal had been served.
“Mom! Dad! What a surprise,” Ryan said, standing up. He shook his father’s hand and hugged his mother and then introduced Sofia to them.
“You’re looking well,” Ruth Albright commented, looking her son up and down.
They’d ignore Sofia.
“How’s the job?” Ed asked.
“It’s a job, but it’s going well and fulfilling all the requirements.”
“I hope you can get back to work,” Ruth said. “All that money for school down the drain.”
“Ruth.” Ed looked at her, shaking his head.
“At hisrealjob. How much is this meal costing? Seems like you might consider—”
Ed interrupted her before Ruth could insult their son more than she already had. But now it was Ed’s turn.
“Well, son, have a good dinner. It was nice meeting you, Sonia.”
“Sofia,” Ryan said.
“Oh, right, Sofia. All those Eyetalian names sound alike.”
“Dad, really?”
Ryan looked at Sofia and shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
“No problem,” she said, reaching for her glass of wine.
They said goodbye to their son, Ruth ignoring Sofia, and left the table.
“My parents act like hicks. You’d never guess they’re educated scientists.”
