Collette: Sure did. I think that day I said two or three, and you wanted a hockey team.
Fish: I did. But like I said, it’s your choice.
Collette: Let’s see how two or three go first.
Fish: Fuck. Now my dick is hard again, thinking of knocking you up.
Collette: Kinky.
Fish: Do you want kids sooner or later?
Collette: I don’t know.
Fish: Would you stay at home or continue working?
Collette: I don’t know.
Fish: I would support you in whatever you wanted to do.
Collette: I know.
Fish: If you don’t want to work in social media anymore and want to do something else, I’d support you in that, too.
Collette: You would?
Fish: Of course. I remember you telling me social media wasn’t your dream job, but that you were good at it.
Collette: True.
Fish: So, what is your dream?
Collette: I don’t know.
Fish: That’s okay too. Just know I’m here to support you.
Collette: How the hell did I get so lucky?
Fish: Feeling’s mutual, babe.
Mom knows something is different.She keeps looking at me across the kitchen table with that expression mothers have when they can tell you're hiding something, but they're waiting for you to crack.
"You seem happy," she says when I step in and help her with the washing-up after Christmas dinner with my sister and nephew.
"I am happy," I tell her, and I wish I could tell her more.
"Hockey's going well?" she asks.
"Yeah. Team's clicking."
"And the rest of life? Not getting into too much trouble I hope?" She gives me the look. The mom look. The one that sees through every wall I've ever built.
"The rest of life is good, Mom. And I promise I am not getting into any trouble, those days are long behind me,” I reassure her.
“Because there’s a girl in your life?”
I still. "What makes you say that?"
"Because you've been smiling at your phone all day.” She smirks.