“Yeah, it is strange how you never know where life will lead you and what paths you will be led down. I had never really considered working with kids before that, but I had so much fun taking care of them.”
“So, you are working towards what career goal?” I wondered if this topic of conversation was boring her.
“I want to be a child psychologist,” she said. “So, I’ve got a lot more schooling to go through. Got to get my masters, then I need my PhD.”
“That’s a fantastic goal,” I said. “I admire anyone who has that kind of ambition to stick with something. I wish I’d actually graduated.”
“You didn’t graduate? I thought you had a degree?”
“I have an honorary degree because of my accomplishments in business, but I dropped out three semesters early of graduating.”
“Why did you quit?”
“I was bored by it, but I was also making good money in business by then and I had to make a choice which path to pursue.”
“I’d say you chose the right one.”
“I’m not so sure, sometimes. I mean, I love what I do and I do make a good living, but I still feel that I should complete those courses and earn that degree for
real. I want that feeling of accomplishment. It’s the only thing in my life I’ve ever started without finishing and I hate that. I can’t stand unfinished business.”
“I see,” she said. I loved the way she was staring into my eyes right then. Her gaze was so lovely. It just penetrated my head until I wanted her with me, beside me, and I wanted to make love to her. What if I kissed her right then? What would she say? Would she pull away and say no? Or would she kiss me back? The fantasy started going through my mind and it wouldn’t stop. I wasn’t sure how long it went on but I noticed that she was now staring at me a little strangely. I was staring at her. Oh shit.
I snapped myself out of it and went back to my food. That was damn awkward. I knew this was going to be hard.
“So, what else do you like to do when you aren’t working or doing school?” I asked. “Any other passions or hobbies?”
She thought a moment and then smiled. “Yeah, I do enjoy swimming and I play some golf.”
“Oh, a fellow golfer. I’m intrigued,” I said. “How often do you play?”
“Well, this time of year not much, unfortunately. But during the spring and summer I play at least once or twice a week. I just find a way to work it in.”
“That’s what you have to do,” I said. “You have to find the time to do things that make you happy.”
“And what else makes you happy?” she asked me.
“Work and Bobby are the two main things, but I do like to do other things when I can find the time. I bowl, I golf, I do some martial arts, and my biggest passion is bull riding and calf roping.”
She raised her eyes. “That’s surprising. I had no idea you were into that.”
“Yeah, not many people do. It’s just one of those things I got into at an early age and I have never really grown out of.”
“I’ve never even ridden a horse.”
“Wow, we have to get you on a horse soon.”
“I’m not sure. I think I’m scared of it.”
“Don’t be,” I said. “It is as easy as can be once you get the hang of it. You just have to communicate to the animal that you are the boss. That’s what bull riding is all about as well. It’s about focusing all of your energy on this thing and just making it through the ride, but you can’t think about making it to the end. That’s too long. You have to think about this one moment right here and then that one and so on. That’s how it’s done.”
“That’s very inspiring. I’m going to have to learn how now.”
“Well, I do have a stable and a ranch if you ever want to come out and ride. I’d be happy to teach you personally. I’m sure Bobby would love it if you came out there as well.”
“You think so? Ok, I’ll do that.”
“Great,” I said.