Zach lasts a little longer, he's obviously fit, but his lack of enthusiasm for hitting other people is his downfall.

He moves to stand next to her.

"I'd like to apologize for my cousin. He's.. an egomaniac, essentially."

"He was charming, for all of five minutes. Does he normally show up unannounced?"

"That's his modus operandi, he likes to make an entrance. Always has."

"I'm sorry you and your daughter have to deal with that. You handled it well."

"She's strong and knows how to deal with him, better than me at any rate." He sounds proud. "Your son is Scott McCall, right?"

"That's him. Why, what have you heard?"

"I remember him from when they were in pre-school together. Juliet had a crush on him for a while there." He laughs.

"A lot girls did. He liked to share. His teachers wanted to bottle that and give it to all their students. What's your daughter like?"

"She's... a handful. Just started regular school this year and she's already got a boyfriend and is sneaking out of the house. But. She's my world. I find it hard to find fault with anything she does."

Snort.

"I'm surprised they didn't stay friends. I wouldn't call Scott a handful, but I might say it about his best friend. He's always dragging him out in the middle of the night. Teenagers."

"She was homeschooled not long after, had trouble making friends. Doesn't seem to have that problem now."

"I don't think I could homeschool my kid, even if I had the time. How did you make sure she was learning what she needed?"

"I hired the appropriate tutors. Even then it was difficult, she only ever had time for her art. Which hasn't changed according to her teachers."

"I wish Scott had that kind of focus. He does well in all his classes, but he doesn't have anything he's committed to."

"He has time. Kids tend to find themselves in high school. I know I changed a lot during."

"Oh, you can't stop there. Was it the outfits? The hairstyle? The hobbies?"

"I discovered Shakespeare and poetry and Cat Stevens."

"I was a mess in high school. I'm glad we're meeting now."

Coach Finstock loudly congratulates the winner for "proving that gym class is a valuable part of daily life".

"Well. I guess I'll see you around."

"Right. Yes. Would you like to have dinner with me some time? I have no social skills, but I am an excellent cook. If you like Italian."

"I love Italian. How's Tuesday night sound?"

"Excellent, yes. Do you know the Boarding House?"

"There aren't that many old houses on the edge of town. I'll be there at seven?"

"That works. I'll look forward to it." He looks very pleased.