She smiled, relief filling her face so that she knew she must look positively goofy.  “You do?  But why?  I mean you don’t even really know me.”

Grant dropped his hands from Mallory’s shoulders and returned to his methodical lettuce-washing.  “I guess you trusted me with your story – it’s only fair I tell you mine.”  Mallory watched Grant through the corner of her eyes and she began to peel the carrots.

“You know my mom died recently,” he said and she nodded.  “Well I guess I miss her.  I mean, really miss her.  My dad died a long time ago and my mom and I were really close because of losing him, I think.  Once she died, I became aware of how alone I was.  I’ve always had f...

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