Page 40 of Rise Above

“What gave away my Texan aspects? I played

football for a good while, but my dad grew up in Philly. He taught me, and I just connected with hockey,” I said, “Football was fun, but hockey just became life.”

Aife looked up at me. “You have a little accent.

That’s how I know. I know Texas when I hear it. Are your parents still in Humble?”

I loved that she pronounced Humble correctly. It

made me think she was from Texas too. “Mom is in the Houston area still. I don’t ever see her leaving.” We stopped at a bench and sat down. “Dad… um… he passed away two years ago.”

“Oh, TJ. I am so sorry.” Her hand came down on

my arm and gently squeezed. “We can talk about something else.”

This woman really was too sweet. It was like she

wanted to avoid hurting others at all costs. “It’s okay. Cancer’s a bitch.”

“Do you want to talk about him?” Her hand never

left my arm. It slowly squeezed my shoulder and then made gentle circles as if to soothe me. My body seemed to relax under her ministrations.

“Thanks, Aife, but I think I’m okay.” I sent her a

cautious smile.

She smiled back softly. “Okay. Well, I’m here if

you need to talk. Grief is a weird thing; it’s not exactly linear.” Her small hand remained on my arm. Wherever she

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touched gave me these little tingles. It was a weirdly addictive feeling, and I had to remind myself we were just friends… really people who had just met.

“New topic,” I said, still enjoying the feeling of her

touch. “Where in Texas are you from?”

“You picked up on that too, huh? I was born in

Katy, spent some time in Denton, and then back to the Houston area.”

I smirked. “So, we grew up around each other.”

“I guess so. Davis said you went to college

together?”

“Yeah.” I nodded and looked at her. She had a

beautiful smile on her face, one that completely lit up her visage. “Me, Davis, and Zeke all did our bachelor’s degree together.”

“Did you finish?”

I knew she wasn’t asking that maliciously. Pro