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The typing dots start and stop multiple times until they ultimately disappear. After waiting a couple of minutes for a reply, I pivot.

ME

Okay, that’s too long of a delay. I retract the question. What’s your favorite candy?

DANAE

I really don’t know.

ME

You don’t know your favorite candy?

DANAE

Haha. No. I don’t know how I would respond if my parents came back. I guess it would depend a lot on their reasons for being there. If they’ve had any true change of heart about their past actions and attitudes.

Aside from my own hurt over our past, I’d be leery of trusting them around Jason. The condescending things they said about him when I brought up the adoption at Thanksgiving . . . I would never want to accidentally expose him to such a negative view of his worth.

ME

That’s fair.

You know I’d support you either way. In this hypothetical situation that may never happen.

DANAE

I appreciate that. Also, dark chocolate Lindortruffles.

ME

Ok, time for your equally emotionally devastating question.

DANAE

If you quit baseball tomorrow, what would you do instead?

ME

Ouch.

DANAE

You started it!!

ME

Also fair. I honestly don’t know either. This has always been who I am.

DANAE

Well, it’s not who you ARE. Just what you DO.

ME

It’s a little bit of both.

Crack!