“I don’t have a lot of memories of just being a kid and getting into trouble,” he said in a sad voice. “So for that reason alone, I suppose that was why I was a bit spiteful towards my parents when I was a teenager. While kids my age were outside on their skateboards, I was inside studying calculus in sixth grade.”
“That must have been hard on you, Gavin. I can’t believe your parents would do that to you. Every child deserves to have a fun and safe upbringing.”
He shrugged his shoulders and took a sip of wine. “Well, they’re both gone now. That’s the main reason I moved to River Valley. And looking back, I know they had my best interest at heart. My dad even mentioned it a few times, and he and Mom tried to apologize. I know they were truly sorry for what they put me through. I’m sure that every parent messes up from time to time. It wasn’t easy for them either. In the end, it turned out alright, and I was fortunate to meet Richard and his parents.”
“What about going to college at fifteen-years-old, though? That must have been hard.”
Gavin nodded, and I could tell that he was going down a dark path. “All of my classmates and roommates were out partying on the weekends, mainly at clubs where you had to be eighteen to get in and twenty-one to drink. And there I was, stuck in my dorm playing video games for fun. And well, to be honest, hooking up with a few of the nerdy girls that were in the same situation as me.”
“I’ll bet.” I laughed, knowing it was probably true. “Still, it must have been awkward being around eighteen-year-olds when you were just fifteen. I know that I did a lot of growing up in those three years alone.”
He let out a sigh and nodded, and I felt like I had crossed a line, hooking up with girls I had no intention of really getting to know. “It was like being a kid in an adult world, but what’s done is done. Let’s talk about you. You’re more interesting to me than me.”
I shouldn’t have stated the obvious. Of course, it would have been hard for him to be in college at only fifteen-years-old. Why was I so stupid and thoughtless?
“Sure, what would you like to know?”
“Everything and anything.”
“Well, let’s see. I grew up in River Valley with my mom. She and my dad split when I was only four. Mine was never in the picture, and before you say ‘oh, I’m so sorry,’ please save your breath because it’s okay. Anyway, my mother passed away six months ago from cancer. So that’s been hard to go through.”
I felt the tears forming in my eyes, but I refused to let him see me cry.
“Iamso sorry, Crystal —”
I put my hand up before he could even finish. “No, really…” Then it hit me that he had spoken about his parents in the past tense.
“My mother died from cancer too,” Gavin interjected.
“Oh, I’m so… and what about your father?”
“Heart attack when I was away at school.”
We reached out for each other’s hands. When we touched, it felt as though I were being comforted by a lifelong friend.
“I love getting to know you,” he said as we looked into each other’s eyes. “Did I mention that I have a garden, by the way?”
Gavin might have been the first businessman that I had ever dated, but I didn’t think they were into gardening. “Are you kidding me? That’s amazing! God, I would love to have my own garden one day.”
“I started with just flowers, then got into growing my vegetables and herbs. Of course, working long hours doesn’t always allow me to cook them, but when I do, it’s so satisfying. And I’m fortunate enough to have a part-time gardener that helps out when I’m out of town.”
Images of my mother gardening flooded my mind, but instead of being sad, I felt I was reconnecting with her spirit. “My mother was really into gardening, Gavin. I’d love to see it one day, if that’s alright with you.”
We spent the rest of the evening getting to know each other, enjoying delicious Italian food, and even splurged on some tiramisu.
About an hour after our dessert, he leaned forward across the table and was inches away from my face. “Would you like to head out now?”
The way he said it made me chuckle a little bit. “You’re the kind of guy who is goal oriented, aren’t you Gavin Tillery?”
He gave me a small kiss from across the table. “That I am, Miss Crystal Hotchkiss. That I am.”
“How did you know my last name?”
“The same way you know mine.”
“Mutual friends, who are actually extended family?”
“Yep.”
