“And you?” Chase asks without a trace of judgment in his voice.
“Yes, but also candle making and usually I have a show that I’m into. It’s Ted Lasso at the moment.”
“Believe it or not, I understand what you mean about needing to recharge.”
“You do? You seem so outgoing, a classic extrovert.”
“Being ‘on’ most of the time can get tiring, but you’re not wrong. Mostly, I thrive off it.”
“I couldn’t be more different.”
“What about being here, right now, with me?”
I look around at the flashing lights, the sound, and chaos. “I guess this is an exception.”
“Tell me more about your dad.”
“He’s incredibly patient and accepting. I’m trying to be more like him.”
“Sounds like the opposite of my father. In fact, talking about him is well outside of my comfort zone.”
“I take it you don’t have a great relationship.”
“Let’s just say, he’s not my hero. I wanted him to be when I was a kid, but he pushed me away. Away from him and from playing football. Yet it was confusing because football was Cap, my grandfather’s, whole life. No matter how much like Superman I try to be, the trench between my father and me has always been deep. Wide now too, after Cap passed away.”
“I’m sorry to hear that and about your grandfather,” I say softly.
“Thanks for being such a good listener. I probably shouldn’t have said all that, but talking to you is easy.”
“Thanks. My dad is a good listener, too. He loves Jesus and golf.”
“So, not the kind of person who is always waiting for their turn to talk? I admire that.”
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s quirky. He only writes in blue ink, all caps, of course. He has an obsession with peanut M&M’s. Like, it’s out of control.”
“They’re pretty good.”
“Chase, he bought an M&M factory.”
“Oh.” Chase bumps me with his shoulder. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“The banana.”
“I’m pretty sure the saying isapple. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“Not according to my dad.” This reminds me, I need to find out what his prank was.
“Sounds like an interesting guy. As for Rhett Collins, he did the opposite of everything his father did and from the sound of it, your father too, including a faith life, football, and familytime. Though he was different with my sisters. He treats me like the runt.”
“Well, you are no runt. I’ve been watching you during your workouts. No slouch either.”
“Thanks,” Chase says with surprising modesty.
“Maybe he has an unfulfilled dream or expectation for himself and takes it out on you.”
“You and my sister would get along great.”
“Just don’t tell her the sponge story. Older sisters intimidate me.”
