Page 45 of Sunset Catchers

Unfortunately for me, it is not what I want to hear.

“I think we have a case of miscommunication here.”

“There cannot be any miscommunication, since I am not communicating anything with him.”

“That’s exactly my point,” she begins. I purse my lips. “Look Win, do you know how many times I’m asked about whether I want kids before being asked, let’s say, what my favorite movie is?” I have words ready to tumble out of my mouth, but I don’t get the chance to voice them out. “I’ll save you the guessing trouble. It happens every time I go on a date. Or to a family event. Or just show up anywhere.” I rear back.

“Really? That’s kind of insane.” She shrugs. “You don’t agree?”

“Yes and no. That is the way the dating world runs.”

“Why?”

“People usually do a deep dive first, myself included, to analyze probable compatibility in life goals and dreams before they take up the smaller stuff.”

“I’m not trying to date the guy, though.” I’ve barely just decided to be friends with him. And by the way it’s going; this friendship will end before it even started.

“The same rules apply to friendship. If I told you something that was at the opposite end of your realm of values, you’d probably find that being friends isn’t the best idea, right?”

“Right,” I easily agree.

“But if I told you that I don’t really love your favorite color, which I don’t, you would not end a friendship over it.”

“Our years of friendship prove that.”

“Exactly.”

“So, what are you saying?”

“That Levi’s brain is probably wired the same way. If you cared to exchange an appropriate number of words with the guys you hooked up with, you’d already know this.”

“Okay…”

She stares at me as if I’m completely hopeless.

“So, while Levi and you are both above the introductory small talk, I think that you both took a leap toward the next step, only to end up on totally different stairs.”

“Huh. That makes so much sense,” I say.

“Your brain best understands dubious analogies, so I keep some at the ready.”

“You’re brilliant.”

“Thank you,” she beams.

“Can’t we sustain our friendship on small talk, though?” Junie gives me a look. “I’ll take that as a no.”

“Smart girl.”

“Then, what do you suggest I do to fix the situation?”

“Oh no, babe.” She lets out a small laugh that is very vexing, “I can’t give you all the answers like I did for that math test.” I scoff loudly.

“Rude that you still bring that up every opportunity you get.” I let out a long-suffering sigh, half hoping that Junie will change her mind and feed me the answer like a baby bird, but she just sits pretty on my screen, with an encouraging smile meant to cuddle a child.

Or an emotionally stunted best friend.

“I guess, if we’re on different stairs, we could, maybe, meet on middle ground?” She applauds me. “Good guess on my part?”