“Are you the only athlete in the family?”
“Two of my brothers played in high school, but they never went any further. They both stayed close to home so they could help on the farm.”
“So why didn’t you stay close to home? Although we’re not too far from where you’re from, right?”
I shake my head even though she can’t see me. “Not too far.It’s maybe a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Walker. And I didn’t stay close to home because my parents didn’t want to hold me back from the offers I got to play at elite programs. I think, too, by the time I was on my way out, they had the farm taken care of between my brothers and didn’t really need me anyway.”
“That’s good. You’ve definitely had a great college career. Did you always want to play at this level, or did it just kind of happen?”
“A little bit of both maybe. I was fast and strong, but I had some issues in school that no one seemed to recognize until I was in, like, middle school.”
“Like behavioral or learning?”
“Cupcake, I’m an angel.”
I laugh, and she turns her head, smiling.
“Right.”
“Most of the time, I am. And I was a good kid too. Might be hard to believe, but I was kind of shy when I was little. I think it was because I struggled, and instead of getting made fun of, I became the funny guy.”
“I can see that. So, what did you struggle with? Anything in particular or just in general?”
She stops and pulls out her map again, and we take a turn on the trail, where a sign also points to the falls. The path widens enough that I can walk beside her instead of behind, so I reach for her gloved hand. I love that she doesn’t pull back. Like it’s as natural for her as it is for me to touch her and hold her.
“Well, everything really because I’m dyslexic. And it wasn’t until my coach figured it out that I had a breakthrough and realized that I was actually smart.”
“That’s pretty incredible, Silas. You’re lucky you had a coach who was invested in your growth and was able to recognize that it was something that you could learn to manage. Do you have to use particular tools for studying?”
“I do. I wear my glasses, which help me see the letters clearly,but also help eye strain. I also have reading rulers, audiobooks and there are apps I can use, but I don’t like to rely on those. I prefer to do it on my own, and between my glasses and ruler, I’m usually fine. Plus, I order books that have special fonts for people with dyslexia.”
“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that. Can you show me when we get home?”
“Yeah, of course.” I lift her hand and kiss it over her glove.
She gives me a soft smile, and she’s so damn cute with the pink in her cheeks from the cold.
“And your major is something smart, right?” She laughs.
I chuckle. “Yeah, I guess it is. Biomedical engineering.”
“What do you want to do with that?”
We’re getting closer to the falls, and the trail is getting a little more traffic than what we’ve met so far. An older couple is moving slower, but I’m still impressed that they’re out here at all. I pull Brooke over to the side to give them room to get by.
“Thank you, son,” the man says.
“You’re so sweet. Thank you.” The woman reaches out her hand and touches Brooke’s arm.
“No problem. Did you enjoy the falls?” she asks them.
“Oh, yes. We’ve been coming here since we were kids. Even before we got married. Seeing it in the winter is special, so we try to make it here at least once before the ice melts. Is this your first time here?”
“I came when I was younger, but this is my husband’s first time here.” Brooke says it so easily.
“Oh, that’s nice. You two don’t look old enough to be married.” The woman smiles.
I wrap my arm around Brooke’s waist. “Had to get this one locked down before she got away.” I kiss her head.
