He looked at her plainly, “I just don’t want to disappoint you.”

Her eyes turned from his face to the buildings around them. She wondered how many people were inside them, and how many of them would understand what she wanted. “Let’s talk about God.”

“Okay.”

Her voice grew stronger: “Do you love Him?”

“Yes.”

“How would you describe it – your love relationship with Him?” Her eyes came back to his face.

His eyes closed, and his lungs filled themselves with the humid air. “He is love. He’s trustworthy, faithful, always there for me. Sometimes it’s like tough love – when I feel like I’m being punished or going through a trial.

His eyes opened. “I guess it’s like the relationship I have with my parents; he’s like a father to me. No matter what I do, he’s always willing to take me back.”

She nodded understandingly. “Mhmm… That’s good.” A smile touched the corner of her cheek.