"Take what personally?"

She smiled while handing me the refilled glass. "Zofia and her father.

They have always been like this when the game is on. I am like sliced bread in this house."

“Oh, I don't take it personally at all. She looks so happy. And to think I didn't even know until recently she was such a football fan."

“You did not?" Mrs. Z Looked surprised.

I shook my head.

“I've known Zofi for years, but she had never talked about football before. It was only after we started, uh, dating that it ever came up." I certainly didn't want to admit that I'd been in her bedroom twice over winter break without her parents around.

“Zofi's father started teaching her when she was very small. She has grown up with the game. But it is not a surprise she did not discuss this at school. I do not think many of her friends think about football the way she does."

“They don't," I replied with a chuckle, thinking about how the rest of

BTC couldn't care less about football. Even Alice didn't really give a crap, although she was at least into basketball and followed the Golden

State Warriors. "But I'm very glad she has been able to bond with her father in this way. To be honest, I wish there had been something Like that to help me build a relationship with my parents."

Zofi's mom frowned as she studied me for a moment.

“When is the last time you saw your father?"

I popped my eyebrows and had to think about it.

“Uh, two or three years? I'm not sure."

“If you are not sure, then it has been far too long."

I shrugged.

“He stopped being a part of my Life Long before that. I got used to it."

“Are you close with your mother?"

I chuckled and shook my head.

“She works all the time and doesn't usually come home until late in the evening. I know she has a boyfriend, but I've never met the guy. I guess you could say I'm pretty independent at this stage of my life. But in all fairness, I've been seeing a lot more of her lately, and I think our relationship has actually been improving."

“I am happy for you. It is important for young people to have a strong relationship with their parents."

I nodded.

“I know that what making you and her dad proud of her is very important to Zofi. She values your opinion of her quite a lot."

The older woman's eyebrows went up.