He shrugged like he had no idea, but he knew exactly what it meant. His mother had said it about him and his sister, and he’d asked her what it meant. The moon’s kisses filled you with light, so you outshine everyone around you, and the stars sang to you before you even knew what stars were. They whispered while you slept, teaching you to spread your wings and giving you the courage to chase big dreams.

“She was always saying crazy shit.”

“She would’ve been right about the rascal in me, and she called you Toe? How cute is that?”

“She called me a lot of things.” He bit into the cheeseburger.

“Like what?”

He shook his head and took another bite.

“Come on, Toe.”

He narrowed his eyes, and she steepled her hands, eyes pleading. She had the cute thing down pat, and he hadn’t talked about his mother in so long, the words forced their way out, as if they’d been waiting to be set free. “Sprout, because when I was ten, I grew three inches. Pest, for obvious reasons, and Big Bo, because my little sister couldn’t say brother.” He took another bite, looking away with the bittersweet memories.

She touched his leg, bringing his eyes back to her. “I’m good at picking up on hints. I know you don’t want to talk about your sister, so don’t worry, I’m not going to ask. But if you ever need an ear, I’m a pretty good listener, and since I have brothers, I might be able to share some insight with you.”

He’d never met anyone like her. She made him want to take her at her word. But he’d been burned one too many times to put himself out there.

“Tell me something else about your mom,” she urged. “She sounds like she was spiritual.”

“She was beautiful inside and out.”

“Do you look like her?”

“Are you saying I’m pretty?” he teased, finishing his burger.

“You’ve got too much fuck-off energy to be pretty. But seriously. I look just like my mom did when she was younger, only she had bigger boobs than me.”

“Yours are perfect.”

“I’m glad you think so.” She ate another fry. “So? Do you look like your mom or dad?”

“I’ve got her eyes and nose, thank God, because my father’s nose is huge.”

She shook her head, amused. “Do you ever wonder what your parents were like when they were young?”

“No. But I bet my mom was a lot like you. Trouble waiting to happen.”

“I think the word you’re looking for is awesome,” she said sassily. “Do you have a picture of your mom?”