[ Honestly surprised at her wanting to know the last bit, he concedes. He retracts his wings and takes a seat on the stoop of the building. ]

I was an only child, so my mother was basically my closest friend. She gave me a lot of attention, but I never found it easy to be social with others. Her relationship with my father was fairly strained, as he was always working. A trait I regrettably inherited despite how much I wish he'd been around.

[ He's fairly monotone as he recalls, and he reaches into his coat pocket to retrieve his cigarettes. ]

I ended up in the banking field as he was, perhaps hoping to be around him more. But, by that point, I don't think I even knew what to say to him anymore.

[ He lights one, taking a long puff before letting the smoke out in a slow exhale. ]

It's a wonder Christine ever got me to open up.