Getting to know each other

"So, what brought you to our fair town," Gavin asked as he grabbed another slice of pizza.

"You really want to get into the heavy stuff right away, huh?" I asked.

"Well, I hate to break it to you Lucy but we are engaged. We should know a few things about each other, don't you think?"

I sighed, dropping the crust from the slice I had just eaten on my plate. I had only managed to eat a couple of slices before feeling full. A lot less than if I had been eating a couple of days ago. "Well, I don't know what kind of answer you're expecting, but it's not all sunshine and roses."

"I want to know you," Gavin said. "Everyone has bad stuff in their past."

"Alright," I said, putting my plate down. "Where to start? Well, my mom died when I was 12 and my daddy didn't know how to handle it. He threw himself into his work, leaving me to deal with my mom being dead all on my own. So, you know, I started trying to figure out how to. Started hanging out with the 'bad kids', started smoking weed, then drinking, then... some harder stuff..."

I glanced toward Gavin, trying to see what his reaction was. Would me admitting I had done **** throw him off? What happened if he called things off? Would I be free to go, or would I be dropped on the guy who'd turn me into his perfect little housewife?

"Well, one perk of the process is that they clear your system, so to speak. Pretty sure you won't even have a craving for any of that stuff now."

I blinked a few times and realized that... yeah, I hadn't felt any urge for ****. I wouldn't have said no to a beer or anything, but... "Huh, I guess so..." I shook my head, then sighed. "What about you, cowboy? What brought you here?"

"Oh, nothing so exciting as all of that. My folks were just looking for a change of pace. They found this town, we moved in and... the rest is history, as they say."

"Lucky you," I said.

"I suppose so."

"What's your dad like?"

I scowled, looking down at my plate. "He's... broken, I think. He never recovered from my mom dying, and just kind of gave up on trying to deal with me. I think he was hoping moving me here would be a magical fix and, well... you can see how that went."

Gavin nodded. "I've known folks who got like that after losing a loved one. Luckily I haven't been through that myself," he said, knocking on the coffee table. "It can be hard to come back from, but... well, maybe he'll find what he needs here?"

"Yeah, maybe..." I muttered. "What are your folks like?"

"Well, my dad's a manager at one of the local companies. They work in textiles and such. He's been at it, oh... 30 years now? Looking to retire by the time he's 60. My mom was always a stay at home mom, looking after the house and all. I have a sister and a brother. 20 and 16, respectively."

"Siblings, huh? Always wondered what that was like."

"Well, they'll basically be your siblings soon. Legally, at least." My eyes widened, considering. How was he so casual about stuff like that? "Speaking of, we should talk sleeping arrangements for tonight. I insist you take the bed, I can sleep out here. Couch is pretty comfy, and-"

"You're... really? You'll just give me your bed?"

"You've been through a lot today. I figure you could use some space, yeah?"

I nodded, and he smiled.

"Right, we can clean up and watch a bit more TV, but I'm gonna need to sleep before too long. Early day tomorrow."

"Okay, yeah..." I said, watching as he stood up. I found myself standing to follow him. He was actually being cool, and it seemed messed up to leave all the work to him.