“What kind of music do you like?” I turned up the radio to relax her a bit.

“Pop, Latin... I think I'm quite eclectic at times.”

“Hip hop?”

“Also.”

“There's always a style we don't like as much.”

“When I show up, I'll tell you.” He chuckled, and I realized I was achieving my goal.

“The girls love it.” I turned up the volume and let the dancing sound fill the vehicle.

“Oh, so that's what Anne keeps humming?”

“I admit that she's not an excellent singer at the moment, but when she can pronounce all the words correctly, who knows?”

“She's very cute...”

“The two are.”

“Yes.” Helena's smile widened. “Do you often talk about your daughters with the women you go out with?”

“They're not usually that interested in girls.”

“That's a shame.”

I nodded but didn't make any other comments. Helena was the only woman outside my family that I was talking to so openly after Daphne's death. I thought that shutting myself away from them was the best thing for me, but I was very wrong.

We arrived in front of the restaurant, and I was the first to get out of the car, handed the key to the valet, and went around to open the door for her.

I noticed that Helena looked a little uncomfortable as she looked from side to side.

“What's wrong?”

“I think I prefer my hamburger.”

“It's just a restaurant.”

“It's not just a restaurant, Thomas.” He tilted his head from side to side. “Look at all those people.”

“What about them?”

“They are...”

“Like you and me?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Not like me.”

“How do they differ for you?”

“Apart from the bank account?”

“That's just a detail.”

“I ate French fries for you.”

“It's different.”