Metanoia

13: Beach Breeze

There was a sort of childlike look in Keith's eyes as he individually tried each of the small scoops in his bowl. Truthfully, I didn't expect to see this side of him; I must've thought he hid it to closely, or didn't have it. Yet, what happened last night does prove that he has a soft side of his own. I guess he does trust me, at least enough to show a bit of vulnerability.

"I think this one is my favorite. Here, try!" Keith still had his mouth full of that flavor ice cream, and now he was holding up a spoonful of what seems to be moose tracks ice cream. "Quick, before it melts." I lean over and take the bite,

"Mnn! That's better then I remember it!" I glance over to Allura; if they changed the recipe then she hasn't told me.

"I remember it being more chocolaty. Of course, that was in a different ice cream spot; this is still delicious though." It seemed like now he was eating only that flavor.

"Where was this ice cream place with the superior moose tracks??" I couldn't keep myself from smiling as I saw Keith's, he seemed so much happier then the first time I met him, it's s nice change of pace.

"In, um... in California." Oh no, he hesitated. Why did he hesitate? Now his smile is fading. Should I have not asked that question?

"Sorr-"

"Don't." Keith seemed cold and closed off again. As he ate his next bite he seemed to shiver at some thought, and then pushed his ice cream from him.

"Sorry."

"I told you that you don-"

"I know, I just had to say it." I felt 100% shitty. I know I didn't mean to make him feel like that but it was still my fault. An awkward silence followed my apology, I'm pretty sure Keith glanced up at me a few times, I couldn't see him though since I was also looking down.

"It's alright Lance. Sorry for, ya know, overreacting and such... um.. hey, didn't you say we can stop by your house to grab beach towels? I think I might like just sitting on the beach for a while." He was looking back up at me now, and a softness was in his eyes again, but not the happy vulnerability from earlier, more like what I'd imagine him to look like if I saw him last night. I nod,

"Yep! I can finish my ice cream as we walk. Are you ready?" I ask as I stand up, watching as he did the same with a nod.

We didn't talk on the way. I looked up a few times, caught Keith looking up at me a few, I just got the feeling that nether one of us knew what to say. We're new friends, I barely know the guy, I don't know what he likes or his hobbies, so what really is there to talk about..?

Eventually we made it to my house in our silence. The laughter of the children playing outside sort of broke the awkwardness between Keith and I, breaking the silence.

"I'm gonna run in real fast and grab a few towels. Do you need anything else while I'm in there?" I ask him as I start my step to the house.

"A water perhaps?" Yep! I jog inside, quickly kissing my mamá on the cheek before running to the linen closet to grab beach towels, then to the cooler beside the fridge to grab a water bottle.

When I make my way back outside, the crappy broken revolving screen door slamming behind me, I see Keith sitting at the steps of the porch, leaning against the pole and hunched over his phone. It seems like he's trying to ignore the kids pestering around him, who have definitely gathered around him and is now bombarding him with questions.

"Whoa whoa whoa! Hey, I'm sure Keith won't want to answer your questions if you're both speaking at once and invading his personal space!" I lightheartedly scold with a slight laugh as I gently pull them a few steps from Keith. "Anyways, Keith and I are about to go for a walk, so no time for questions right now. Perhaps some other time." A few whines came from Sylvia and Nadia, but they can get over it, I'm sure they'll forget about it in a few moments after we leave and they start playing again. Keith stands up again, and I lead him down our houses boardwalk path that leads directly to the beach.

"This is where I like to take my shoes off, feel the sand worn boards under my feet, it's nice. Don't worry, you won't get splinters, the wood is to smoothed down for that." I said as I stopped in the middle of the boardwalk, taking off my sandals and just holding the pair in my hand.

"Thank you Lance, again." Keith mumbled with a light chuckle, "telling the kids I won't answer the questions or whatever, I'm sure if it was anyone else they would comply with the kids, despite-"

"Well, I could see you were uncomfortable. It's alright Keith. Hey, for your shoes I suggest just leaving them here instead of carrying them. Just put your socks in your shoes then slide them under the boardwalk, no one will take them, only my family uses this path." He nodded his head and did exactly that, rolling up his jeans a bit before following me down to the beach.

Once the beach grasses subsided from either side of us, the beach breezes hit. Cool and salty air brushed against our skin as we walked down closer to the water, until the mist from the waves hit us as as well.

"Is this a good spot to set up?" I ask him as I hand him one of the towels I've been carrying.

"I think so" Keith's smile was returning, the childlike one. He wouldn't take the towel, he was to focused on looking forward at the ocean depths; it seemed like a sense of calm washed over him before he finally realized I was handing him the towel, and he took it.