“Oh?” George took a cautious sip. “Interesting.”
“My grandmother is kind of a health food nut. I’m used to it, but some people think it’s weird.”
“How long have you been with your grandmother?”
Collin shrugged. “For as long as I can remember.”
“Are your parents living?”
“Yeah, sure. Well, my mom is. I don’t really know about my dad.”
“I’m sorry.” George set down his glass. “I didn’t mean to be intrusive.”
“Not at all.” Collin finished off his drink. “My mom had me when she was just nineteen. Kind of like my grandmother did—I mean, with no dad around. Nana says they were two of a kind. But I don’t get that. My mom ran off, but Nana has taken care of me like I’m her own kid.”
“Do you know where your mom is? Do you hear from her?”
“Sometimes. She’s kind of a groupie.”
“A groupie?”
“You know, with a band. The way the story goes, I was a baby and my mom left me with my grandparents to attend a weekend rock concert, then never came back.”
“I see.”
“I guess she’s hooked up with the bass player now. It’s a grunge rock band that was popular in the nineties and is making a comeback now.”
“Interesting.” George forced down the last of his drink,trying not to gag over how slimy it felt as it went down his throat.
“So what do you think of kombucha?” Collin grinned.
“Not my cup of tea.” George slid the glass across the bar. “But thanks.”
“Well, I guess it’s an acquired taste.”
George felt a sudden pang of compassion for Collin. “I was raised by my grandparents too,” he said quietly.
“Really?” Collin looked at him with interest. “And you turned out okay.”
George grimaced, then chuckled. “Depends on who you ask.”
“I’ll bet your mom didn’t run off with a rock band.”
“No. She died. Both of my parents did. Car wreck.”
“Oh, that must’ve been rough.”
George sighed. “Yeah. But my grandparents were pretty great.”
“Mine were too. Poppy wasn’t really my grandfather—I mean, by blood relation. But he treated me like he was. He died a couple years ago.”
George nodded. So Willow was a widow. The room got quiet and George wondered if he should leave, but then remembered something. “Your grandmother mentioned something about a girl that you wanted to ask out tonight.”
Collin’s cheeks flushed slightly.
“Sorry.” George started to stand. “I don’t mean to intrude.”
“No, that’s okay. Actually I wouldn’t mind getting advice from a guy. Nana is great, but she can be over the top sometimes. You know?”
