I tilted my head, curious at his statement. He spoke like a scholar and not any young, single guy I’d ever met. Almost as if he’d lived a long life and had seen things that made him sad. “Is Ireland like that too?” I asked. “I know we’re always fighting for environmental causes in America.”

“The world is all alike. We point fingers and say that our country is better, but we’re all fighting for the same issues.”

“Are you sure you studied psychology and not political science?”

His smile came back and the shadows left his face. “Told you I was a nerd. Forgot to tell you I had a double major. And the environment is one of my hot-button issues.”

I respected that. There was too little passion from the kids I knew, who were only focused on their country clubs and new fashion and social cliques. “That’s a good one.”

“What’s yours?”

I stared at him, slowly realizing I was quick to judge others but I had no real passions myself. I’d never supported a particular charity or watched the news with a burning need to make a difference. I flushed hot with embarrassment, not wanting to tell him the truth. “I guess I’m not sure yet,” I finally said.

“I have a feeling once you figure it out, you’ll be a badass.”

We smiled at each other and I relaxed. He wasn’t judging me.

Our guide gathered our attention. “Ever hear of the phrase red-light district?” he asked.

Everyone nodded.

“The phrase has a long history that continued here. Red lights were set up to mark the open brothels and guide the travelers at night. Pompeii had an underbelly of many, er, interests of the erotic sort. Besides the red light, specific directions were carved into the road to guide men. I will show one to you over here.”

He led us to the open door of a building and motioned to the etching in one of the stones.

A penis pointed straight toward the door.

There were titters and giggles as each person took their turn to study the drawing. Ian quirked a brow. “A unique compass,” he said with a grin.

“Now, if you enter the building, you will find some paintings. Each of them was used as a catalogue or a type of menu for various offerings. Signora, I’d advise your son skip this one.”

“Got it.”

“Mom, what’s that of?” Kai asked loudly, pointing down to the penis.

All the women in the group seemed to hold their breath. I wondered how Hana would get out of this one. Tell him to ignore it? Give him a distraction?

She waved a hand like it meant nothing. “Just a hot dog. It’s pointed toward a restaurant so people could eat.”

Dan let out a snort.

Kai nodded. “Cool.”