Adam opens up more to Abbie

Adam put his hand on Abbie's. He pressed down, half-clutching her hand under his, and then let go. Abbie also pulled her arm back, still unsure as to whether the moment was friendly or forward.

"Sometimes life goes so fast, you know?" said Adam. "Staci's a middle child. Like really middle. Fourth of seven. But first one to get married." He sighed. "Lucas always kept to himself. The twins are ... they do their own thing. And now, suddenly, Staci's getting married."

Abbie wasn't sure how to respond. She just kept her eyes on Adam's and listened.

"She's so much like her mother. Did you meet her mother, Laura? We split up years ago, each remarrying, new families." Adam was getting lost in his narrative, and Abbie sensed that it didn't really matter who his audience was, he just needed an opportunity to talk a little. "God, marriage. What a weird thing. You know, I thought I'd missed my chance. I was thirty-five when I married Laura, thought I was already too old to be starting a family. Who'd've thought it'd be just the beginning?" He paused and mulled it over.

Abbie stayed quiet. She found him to be quite sweet and sensitive, but of course, she didn't know him. She didn't want to say anything stupid, but maybe she didn't have to say anything at all.

"My son Lucas is almost as old now as I was when I married his mother. Maybe his time will come. But I probably should have known Staci would be the first." He went silent again, his mind full. "Are you married?" Adam asked. "I mean, it's not for everyone. What do I know, married twice, still not sure where I belong in the world. You think you'd ever get married?"

Abbie shrugged. "Probably. I mean, not tomorrow or anything, but someday."

"No, hopefully not tomorrow," said Adam with a smile. "That's Staci's day."

Abbie grinned. "She looked so lovely today. I'm sure tomorrow's going to be wonderful."

Adam nodded. "I'm sure it is." He breathed slowly, his mind wandering. "First time -- for me -- was on a beach. Hawaii. Laura was maybe about Staci's age, maybe a little older. Small party, only about twenty people. Hawaii's tough to get people to, you know. You ever been?"

"To Hawaii?" said Abbie. "Yes, my family took a vacation when I was in high school."

"Laura was so radiant." Adam turned to look at Abbie. "I just know that tomorrow, I'm going look at Staci and just fall apart." He chuckled to himself. "Unless I look at Laura, and then who knows what kind of reaction I'll have to the whole thing." He took a deep breath and let it out. "I'm too old for all these feelings!" he said with a laugh.

"Everyone's entitled to feelings." Abbie put her hand on Adam's arm again. "And surely all you want is for Staci and Phil to be happy together, for your daughter to begin this adventure with joy and love and confidence."

For much of the conversation, Adam's focus had wandered. He was in his memories, not necessarily thinking about Abbie. But now he turned to her. "You're awfully wise for such a young woman. How old are you?"

"Twenty-four."

Adam smiled, but put his hand on Abbie's, taking hers in his own. It was not a handshake, but rather a connection. "Very wise." He softly, but deliberately, began to run the fingers of his right hand along Abbie's forearm, watching his own hand as he touched her. "Do you always see the truth in people?"

Abbie looked down at her forearm and watched Adam's fingers. "I try to."