Swing

Phantom.
“You okay, Youngblood? You look ruffled”, he says, like he actually cares.
It’s just everything’s kinda outta control right now.
Everyone’s freakin’ out about those flags, and then I see you again, and I think you said something about somebody flying. And on tip of it, my best friend, this girl I’ve cared about for years, got her heart ripped out by her boyfriend, so I’m bringing her ice cream to cheer her up.
“You’re worried about people flying. I’m worried that you’re bringing your friend ice cream to cure a broken heart. That’s just empty calories.”
Yeah, I know, but she loves ice cream. We used to eat frozen yogurt and ice cream together all the time. To celebrate birthdays and good grades.
“You love her.”
Huh? She’s my friend.
“You love her more than a friend,” he says, laughing with all his missing teeth and gums showing.
….
“It’s in your walk. Shoot, man, the desperation in your eyes is blinding. Let me put my shades back good.”
….
“A little advice. Ice cream will only cool her down and freeze her tongue. You want to put fire in her heart, bring her something that fills her with warmth.”
What, like hot sauce?
He laughs so hard, the cashier asks us to hurry up if we’re buying something.
“Youngblood, a life without the warmth of live is a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.”