We collapsed into my car. Simultaneously, we pulled on the recline lever and laid in stunned silence staring at the car ceiling.
‘I’ Knight announced, ‘am exhausted. That was intense.’
‘Holy crap…thank you.’
‘Anytime.’ He said with a dismissive wave.
‘No, seriously. Thank you.’ I felt my eyes water. ‘You just met my parents. And you didn’t just meet them, you challenged them. You barely know me and here you are fighting on my behalf…’ my eyes widened, trying to comprehend the surrealism of it all. How did this even start? As grateful as I was, I was suddenly suspicious. What was the meaning of all this? Why was I instilling so much trust in this stranger? Am I so desperate to be blinded by something- someONE- who could be ANYone?
‘Knight, who the hell do you think you are?’ I slapped my hand over my mouth.
Knight stayed silent for a moment and then turned on his side to face me.
‘I’m sorry.’
‘You know, Deb. I didn’t expect any of this.’ He grinned. ‘When I first suggested this road trip I thought it was going to be as easy as jumping in a car and just driving. Simple.’ He chuckled, obviously at his naivety. ‘That’s what I did when I was in India and Thailand. I just met people along the way and travelled with them.’
‘But once you realized that it was going to be hard, why did you push? Why are you pushing? Why are you going through all this for me? Who am I to you?’
Knight scrunched his face and scratched his beard. ‘Actually…I don’t know.’ I was surprised. He didn’t have an answer. He was leaping through fires and didn’t know why. ‘I guess…I just like you.’ My eyes snapped up and caught his eyes. Soft sincerity oozed out of his beautiful green gaze. I didn’t know what to say.
‘I don’t know,’ he seemed to be lost for words, ‘there’s something about you. When I’m around you I feel so…’ he searched for the right word, ’positive.’ I studied his face.
A low wheeze and grumble came from Knight. ‘Oh my gosh! You haven’t eaten properly!’ Dad kept him talking the whole time. The poor guy didn’t eat! ‘Let’s get out of here.’ He won me over. Who cares? He was making me happy.
Knight nodded rubbing his stomach. ‘I’ve got some stuff at home I need to cook before it goes bad. Lets go back to my place.’
‘First of all, you cook? And secondly, I’m not that kind of girl!’
Knight laughed, 'Deb, I just met your parents. I know you're not that kind of girl.'
