A family walked past our tree.
A parents with two small kids who were clearly at the end of their patience. One of them was crying about ice cream, the other dragging a stuffed animal through the dirt. The mom looked exhausted in that specific way only parents of toddlers understand.
"That'll be us someday," Miles said, watching them go.
"Exhausted and negotiating over ice cream?"
"I meant the family thing. Kids. The whole deal." He paused. "Sorry. Is that weird to say on a first date?"
"A little weird. But honest."
"I'm trying this thing where I say what I actually think instead of trying to rephrase everything." He settled back against the tree trunk. "My therapist says I use deflection and humor to avoid genuine connection."
"And what do you say?"
"That she's probably right and
