Loving Cousin

"What are you studying?"

"General business, but I'll have to transfer after this year if I decide to continue with it. Pellissippi only has programs for associate's degrees."

We ate quietly for a moment until Mom tried to restart the conversation. "So, John, are you seeing anyone special?"

He'd been looking down when she'd asked, but I'd noticed the deep breath he stole. "No, Ma'am."

Sensing his discomfort, I shrugged. "Don't worry, me neither."

He looked up with a surprised expression and exclaimed, "Why not?" His face instantly turned red and Mom chuckled at his outburst.

That earned him a genuine smile. "Mom says it's because my standards are too high. I just want to find someone with a pulse, a little personal ambition, and a good attitude. Doesn't seem that high to me."

Mom looked at me over her glasses. "Let's see, what was wrong with the recent ones?" she said, tapping a finger on her chin. "Oh that's right, the last one had an annoying laugh, the one before him was too clingy,