There's a place off Ocean Avenue, where I used to sit and talk to you. (Yellowcard)

“I guess I should have taken you somewhere nicer.”

That’s when I realized this might be a date.

“There are oceanfront restaurants that give you the same view but it’s not the same. There’s something about being outside and breathing in the ocean air that makes a sunset all the more beautiful.”

Wow, he was deep.

“My mom used to take me here when I was little.”

“That’s nice.”

He nodded.

“You don’t say much about your father,” I said, immediately regretting how intrusive it was. “Sorry, you don’t have to tell me anything, I didn’t mean to pry.”

He half-smiled. “You’ve told me so much about your family I feel like I owe you something.”

“No, you don’t have to tell me. Don’t worry. You don’t owe me anything.”

His pursed lips turned up on one side as he looked at his fries. He didn’t want to tell me and I didn’t want to make him feel like he had to.

“These are really good fries,” I said. “Maybe the best chili fries I’ve ever had.”

He looked up at me and smiled a real smile with all his teeth. My heart swelled. I was curious about his father, now more than before. But I was happier that I had changed the subject than I was curious. I liked making him feel at ease. I liked making his life better even if it was in the tiniest way. I liked him a lot.