I got distracted, go figure.
Here's our 2nd story.

So last week I was gearing up to host my last show at Elks Lodge.
5mins on the road I get a panicked call from Starbucks Girl.
Her mother just suffered a stroke at her workplace.
A quick call to my boss to ask him to cover for me a bit an' I'm flying off to La Jolla.

I come in, get to meet the grandparents, father, an' older brother.
"This is a very elaborate plan to get me to meet everyone."
Laughter from people that were understandably somber earlier.

I've never been a fan of sorrow.
I don't wish it on anyone.
My natural instincts are to get away from those feelings as soon as possible.
Usually via jokes.
That makes me loveable to her family.

Her mother lucked out because she got help pretty quickly.
Stable, yet unconscious when I had to leave.
Next morning, she woke up.
Couldn't speak yet, but the doctor assured the family that there weren't any indications of severe nerve damage.
I get introduced as Starbucks girl's boyfriend.
She gives me a thumbs up.
I've got the approval of the entire family.

3 weeks of flirting, one week of dating.
To me that's kinda fasttrack to boyfriend status.
I wouldn't even define myself in an "open" relationship.
If only because I have no idea what that means to modern society.
But again, boyfriend?
I didn't bring up the issue at the time because it's a sensitive time for her.
I just harbor doubts.
I don't start edging towards boyfriend/girlfriend status because of a single word.

Love.
Noun, verb, also a surname.
Origin: depends on the context.
Used in a sentence: Reggie uses the word "love" pretty sparingly.
L-O-V-E
Love.

Again, a word I don't like to throw around meaninglessly.
If I use it in context with you, you have potential to cause a good deal of emotional trauma to me.
I just want to take my time an' make sure what our feelings are towards each other before I commit.
Because that's what that word entails for me.
Commitment.

I love chicken.
For better or for worse.
'Til my death do us part.

I figure the day I wake up not having any questions to answer or questions to ask, I'm done living.