“Excellent. Thanks for that. Hey Rog, I’m gonna have to call you back…. Yep, OK…. I’ll check over the contract tonight and get back to you…. You too…. Bye.” She put her phone down. “Hey Shane. How are you today?”

I nodded, “I’m good. Actually I’m on my way to run a couple errands. I was wondering if you knew where a supermarket was around here?”

“Sure, what are you picking up, if I may ask? I didn’t think you knew how to cook?”

“Yeah, well, gotta start learning some time, right?”

“For sure, what are you trying to cook?”

“Some chicken dish. Actually, would you mind explaining some of this recipe to me?”

We went over the recipe, Tina explaining which was teaspoon and which was tablespoon. She asked what my side dish was going to be, saw my blank stare, and started helping me with a short shopping list. She also jotted down her phone number in case I got stuck and needed some help as I was cooking. I was about to get up to head to the market when she stopped me.

“Shane, I just wanted to apologise to you.”

I looked at her, “For what?”

“For the other night. I had no right to push into your business like that. I mean, I had only just met you. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot like that.”

I shrugged, not really sure what to say. Yeah, she made me uncomfortable, but I think deep down I also realised she was only trying to help in her own way.

“I’m serious Shane. I’m really sorry. I won’t push anymore. You can tell or not tell me whatever you want, whenever you want. I promise what I know and whatever else you tell me in the future will stay between you and me. OK?”

I nodded. “Yeah… And it’s OK. I mean, I’m not mad at you or anything. I’m just trying to figure everything out in my head, you know?”