Wisdom Seeds by Patrice Johnson

didn’t.” I couldn’t stop smiling.
    Greg was staring at me and then asked, “What about you? What brings you here?”
    â€œI’m interning at Western Psych.”
    â€œInteresting. What department?” He played with my fingers as we talked.
    â€œEpidemiology,” I stated matter-of-factly.
    â€œSounds different – I can tell that’s your MO. You’re different, that what I like about you.”
    â€œYou don’t even know me.” I responded trying to maintain my composure, but his hand was warm and his presence engulfing.
    Greg kissed my hand. “I’d like to.”
    It was a line and I knew it. I didn’t care, he was absolutely gorgeous. Greg noticed everything about me – my earrings, my shoes, he made me laugh – and that made me feel special. Hard as I tried to dominate some of our conversation, he wanted to talk about me.
    Greg gently pulled me to my feet and we followed the music down the hall to the PUMP meeting. “Where are you from?” He held the door open and smiled at me.
    I responded without looking at him. “Smithtown.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œSmithtown, New Jersey. Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of it,” I teased, feeling a little relaxed.
    â€œNever heard of it. I confess.”
    â€œIt would probably fit inside this campus!”
    We found a table by the door and sat down across from each other.
    â€œHow many boyfriends are waiting for you to come home?”
    â€œI don’t have any love stories about a high school sweetheart waiting for me to return home. There were only two kinds of boys in Smithtown – the ones who wanted to have sex with me to say they were first and the ones who were afraid of my dad.”
    â€œIs your dad the sheriff?”
    â€œSort of. He’s in charge of everybody’s soul – he’s the Pastor.”
    â€œSo you’re a church girl?”
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?”
    â€œNo offense,” he said laughing. “I’m just trying to get the playing rules straight.”
    I wasn’t sure what was funny. “What are we supposed to be playing?”
    â€œCome on now, don’t get serious on me. I’m just trying to get to know you.”
    â€œYou haven’t answered the question.” I folded my arms.
    Greg reached across the table and took my hand. “No games. I can tell by your smile we might be able to have something good.”
    His words sounded good and I couldn’t help blushing. We left the party and went for a walk around the Cathedral of Learning.
    Alicia and I were in the car going home when I realized I didn’t know much about Greg.
    â€œI didn’t see you all night,” Alicia stated with raised eyebrows.
    â€œGreg and I went for a walk.”
    â€œSo what’s his story?”
    â€œHe’s a resident at Children’s Hospital. He’s from Harrisburg.” I recalled the only two things I knew about him.
    Although Greg and I exchanged numbers, I waited to see how long it would take him to call. He called the next day and invited me to a movie that evening. That was the beginning of seeing Greg regularly. We talked on the phone almost every day and went out three or four times a week, when his schedule permitted.
    â€œI’d like to meet your family,” I announced on our way to dinner three weeks later.
    His tone flattened. “No, that’s not a good idea.”
    I was confused by his response. “Why?”
    â€œI’m not ready for you to meet them. Not yet!”
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    â€œIt means,” his tone became even more direct, “when I’m ready for you to meet them I’ll let you know.”
    His tone made me angry and I pressed him. “Well, when will that be?”
    He never answered or looked at me. We rode to the restaurant in silence.
    â€œDani, it’s complicated. There are a lot of