Her laughter was contagious, and as as it died out he gives her a shrug. "My story's pretty dull, actually. Dad's a Sergeant Major in the US Army. Named me Benjamin Sophia Dryden, Benjamin for Dad's brother who died in 'Nam and Sophia 'cause my Mom was Greek and wanted a blessing in my name. Mom died, I grew up an Army brat and elsited first chance I got. In '89 I got blown up in Panama, went crazy, and got discharged. Four ex-wives and thrity-plus states later, I'm sitting in a bar with you."
He stopped abruptly and stared at his drink. "I'm sorry. I don't normally go airing all my dirty laundry to starngers. Especially not pretty girls in bars. Tends to freak them out."