Tia and Kurt's family discuss mysterious visitors and significant others.
The noise in the workroom gradually got quieter as the Trainer rush died down. Tia was busy hollowing out a pink Apricorn when Maizie came in.
“I’ve got something to tell you, Tia!”
“Uh-huh?” Tia reluctantly tore her gaze from her work and looked back at her.
“Someone came here looking for you!” Maizie lowered her voice conspiratorially. “And it was a guy!”
Tia immediately burst out laughing at Maizie’s dramatic statement. “I’m sorry,” she said afterward. “You just sounded exactly like someone in a soap opera.”
“Come to think of it...” Kurt said thoughtfully, “Yes, now I remember! About a month ago, a young man dropped by to visit, asking if we knew you.”
“Hmm.” Tia thought a moment. “Did he leave his name?”
“That’s the strange part,” Kurt answered, “He didn’t. He said you’d know him when the timing was right.”
“’When the timing is right’?” Tia frowned. “Weird. What did he look like?”
“He was really tall and handsome, and had these piercing blue eyes, and spiky black hair!” Maizie said excitedly.
Tia laughed. “That just about describes any movie star or anime hero!”
“Maybe he’s one of your colleagues at the university?” Cameron asked as he entered the workroom, carrying a box of Love Balls. “I couldn’t help overhearing.”
“I don’t think so,” Tia replied, “The description doesn’t ring a bell.”
“He looked like he traveled a lot,” Kurt said, “And he had a sort of melancholy look to him, like he was… haunted by something.”
Tia laughed so hard tears sprang from her eyes. “This just keeps getting better and better. Now he’s a tortured storybook hero looking for his star-crossed lost love!”
“I’m glad you find it so amusing,” Kurt said dryly. “But it doesn’t change the fact that someone out there is looking for you, and didn’t leave any way for you to contact him back.”
“Well, if he comes back next time and I’m not here, just tell him to leave his name and number and not be so mysterious!”
“Aren’t you curious about him?" Maizie asked, “Even a little?”
“Yes, and no.” Tia thought a moment, then continued. “He’s certainly made an impression, but I expect a little more effort put in if someone was really trying to look for me. My research comes first, after all!”
“You’d be singing a different tune if you had a significant other,” Kurt said, absently smoothing out an Apricorn half.
“A… what?” Tia asked, taken aback.
“A boyfriend! A partner!” Maizie added.
“I know what they are,” Tia answered, exasperated. “Frankly, I don’t think I have the time for all that.”
“What about when you’re not busy?” Maizie asked.
Tia laughed. “Well, if I’m ever not busy…” Her voice faded and her expression grew wistful. “Maybe there’s a chance.”
Maizie and Kurt glanced at each other and shared a secret smile.