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Julia, “and to tell you the truth, this grade is as low as I could go. I truly admire those who can handle kindergartners and pre-schoolers, but I’m afraid I just don’t have the stamina. And how was your day?”
    “Hectic as well,” admitted Seth. “I’ve been handed a fast-food and mini-market complex near the university and we’re running into some problems with the city planning commission. The project should start in about two weeks if we’re to have any hopes of finishing on schedule and unfortunately to get permits from the city means a delay. It seems I spent most of that day trying to ward off belligerent contractors as well as city officials, neither of whom have the least compassion or understanding for the other.”
    “I thought you ’re just the architect?” asked Julia.
    “I am, but I’m what you call a follow-through architect. That is, I follow through the project until the final stone is laid, the electricity, plumbing, and sewers are in, and the final ‘i’ is dotted. In other words, the building has to be standing upright and functioning properly for me to dust my hands off the project.”
    Julia smiled. It didn’t surprise her Seth wouldn’t let go of a task until it was completed to his satisfaction.
    “Seth, I was wondering,” asked Julia hesitantly as she munched on a just -delivered spring roll. “Your voice has a different quality to it, a different accent from what I’d expect from a New Englander. You didn’t live your entire life on the east coast did you?”
    “No,” said Seth vaguely , wanting to drop it there, but realizing she still waited for an answer. “I was actually born and raised in upstate New York, but my father worked in Canada for many years before transferring to the UK for nearly four years. Since all this happened in my formative years, I think my accent got rather internationalized; not quite American, Canadian, or British, just an odd blend of the three. I know I have a tendency to say certain words a little differently, like I say sch edule instead of schedule, but I’m trying to reform,” he said contritely.
    “Please don’t,” remarked Julia. “It’s a refreshing change from the flat tones of California. So what did your father do for a living?”
    He allowed the approaching waitress to set down heavy marble platters of sushi before them before continuing. “My dad was actually into bridge construction and generally worked in North America except for the four years he spent in London. My mother, believe it or not, was a civil engineer and fortunate enough to work in the same firm as him.”
    “And did that create problems?” asked Julia.
    “Not in the least. My parents were very compatible and their personal and professional camaraderie was a pleasure to behold.” He took a bite of the succulent sushi. “This is delicious. You see my parents were what we call in my family, soul mates.”
    “Soul mates? I’ve heard of that phrase before; it’s when you believe there is only one person for you in the entire universe and your meeting is predestined.”
    “Well kinda, but actually it had a very different connotation in my f amily. Maybe someday I’ll tell you about it, but not tonight.”
    “So you were an only child?” queried Julia as she s ampled her teriyaki and rice.
    “No,” said Seth shortly, but didn’t expound upon his brief answer and Julia glanced up to catch a strange expression darken his eyes. Not knowing him well enough to delve deeper into the reason for his stony countenance, she changed the subject.
    “So what is your favorite thing to do when you’re not designing houses and buildings and all?”
    “Well, I do have a hobby. It’s just not one I’m certain your brother would appreciate.”
    “And what could that be, since he is constantly strumming on his guitar and singing off-key at the top of his lungs? What could you do that is possibly worse than that?”
    “You brother actually has a decent voice ,