Smiling and laughing lightly at her comment he couldn’t help but feel calmer “Oh my, well… I think I just haven’t decided how to mention things. Hard to not seem awkward trying to explain but also trying to reassure. I am a firm believer in letting things…” he paused as he thought on the word. “…settle on their own.”

Pausing Jon thought about the next part carefully “If something can happen, okay lets be honest the ring becomes a huge topic point.” he said as he lifted his ringer finger up, twisting it slightly.

“So, what was your mom like? You mentioned a few times… I never had one. Well I did but she died when I was very young. The smile you have says volumes when you mention her.”

Reez, CoP

“She was as good a mother as her mental scars would let her be. She tried very hard to make sure that I was taken care of. She wanted so much to be there for me and for a while she was doing really well. I grew up with a mostly normal childhood except when her insanity took hold. It didn’t happen often when I was young, nor would it last long when I was young, but as I got older, it was like a part of her was slipping away. Now she is rarely there.”

Haven, Sec

“I’m sorry to hear that hon, in many ways that feels worse I think thank loosing her young. Seeing a parent fall apart… that’s hard to feel so helpless for.” Jon said, thinking back to his childhood just having his father wasn’t all peaches and roses and no mother certainly wasn’t easy. That said he never once found him falling apart.

“I think I need better table topics, awkward crushes, failing health with parents… did you loos a puppy as a child? Had a childhood diseases? Lord if you had either I may just have to hang it up.” he said with a smirk and a laugh as he shook his head.

Reez. CoP

Her mother was always a hard topic for her to discuss. Giving him the brief glimpse into her struggle was more than enough for one day. She rarely divulged more than that to anyone who was not personally on her mother’s case or at STF headquarters where the staff had worked out the deals concerning her leaving and returning over the last 70 years.

“You certainly know how to pick them. Thankfully I did not ever have a puppy nor any childhood diseases so I think you are in the clear there Reez.”

Haven, Sec

“See I was able to get out of the rut again, I think I have a three strike policy on me at this point. I am sorry though, I don’t want you to feel you have to ever bring it up. I just want you to know you always can, and not as the counselor just someone who cares. Or as both, really it’s what I am here for but right now is about just relaxing and fun and so how about I get us some drinks and I figure out a way to not keep seeming like a fool so quickly so fast. Would you care for something?” he asked her, trying to find a way to let him wash away all the missteps and just get to know Zoi.

Jon knew he needed to make a far better impression if he even wanted her to be her friend and get out of the social circles of doctors he found himself in. Someone that truly interested him was rare, and regardless of what might happen he really truly just wanted to make a new friend if anything at all.

Reez, CoP

She picked up her glass of red wine (Pinot Noir) and saluted him with it before taking a sip. “I think the wine is plenty. It is probably my favorite drink. There are so many different kinds too. I never get bored. Besides, its the best drink to go with Italian food.”

Zoi didn’t know how to help him to not make a fool of himself. Honestly, she didn’t know Reez well enough to do anything but watch him and wait. She took another bite of her manicotti. Maybe him going to get himself a drink would give him time to gather himself back together. He seemed to be floundering since his flirting attempt had not gone as well as he might have expected.

Haven, Sec

A brief moment based and Jon sat down, rum and coke in hand he seemed calmer and more relaxed as he looked across from her. “Okay hon, I have talked myself into quite a few holes but you, how about we try something new? Twenty questions? I ask you a question you ask me one. Quid pro quo so to speak, what do you say?” he asked as he leaned in as he took a sip from his drink. She would sense he was a bit back to himself, seeming more confident like he just brushed off the rest and found himself delightfully amused with himself.
Reez, CoP