Story Time

"Do you love the girl?'

"Love's a strong word." The kid said

"But would you date her?"

"Being friends is fine."

A long pause and the kid said

"How 'bout more than friends?"

I am left speechless

As I imagine those words

I snap out of it.

"You think that I'm cool?"

The kid says "Heck yeah I do!"

I just pat her head.

"It's complicated."

"But what if she likes you back?"

"Highly unlikely."

"But what if she does?"

"She wouldn't talk to me then."

"Just ask her all right?"

"The world's not perfect."

"But it's pretty good so far."

"You're adorable."

"Enough about me...

Talk about her. Why pick her?"

"You wanna know why?"

"She talks, I listen

And for once, I can reply

And it makes her laugh."

"Conversations go

Without the awkward pauses

We could talk for hours."

The kid is wide-eyed

And her mouth flies wide open

"This has to be love."

"It's not, I'm fifteen."

"It sure looks like love to me."

"Look, kid it won't work!"

"How would you know that?

You haven't done anything."

"Fine, I could give her a hint."

"No, tell her straight out!"

"Fine, I'll tell her by summer."

"Now that's more like it."

I probably did

She might have said "Sorry, but...

I don't feel the same."