Unspoken Desires

Part 67

We sit on the swings, each deep in our own separate thoughts, each waiting for the other person to speak first. When the silence becomes deafening, I say, "You know, Chris, I hardly know anything about you."
"Okay." He smiles. "My birthday is 21st July."
"Is that your most interesting fact about yourself?" I ask, grinning."
"Nah," he says, leaning his head on the chain holding the swing up. "I just like birthdays."
"Your favourite colour?" I ask.
"Really?" he says. "I've always wondered why one of the top questions asked when getting to know people is 'what is your favourite colour?'. How does a colour make you know the person better?" I didn't think he thought much about this kind of stuff, but obviously I was wrong. It makes me like him more.
I shrug. "I guess if your favourite colour is pink, then people are going to assume you're a girly, cutesie type. If it's blue, I guess you like the sea, or the sky."
"Then my favourite colour is brown."
"Brown?"
"Yes," he replies matter of factly, as though he is stating the obvious. "There are so many different shades: hazelnut, chocolate, chestnut. Plus, brown is underrated, and I think people should think more of the overlooked things in life, not simply pretend they are not there at all. Everything is there for a reason."