“My sister hated eggs.”  He shook his head. “I love eggs.  I could never get enough.”  It was true.  He’d order a regular breakfast, plus a couple eggs on the side - over easy.  “Last I heard she was working on a Master’s in Electrical Engineering.  She ended up in a foster home at age 15-16.  Never stopped her.”  There was a hint of pride in his voice.

“I think my family had it a little better than yours.  My biological father abandoned my mother and me when I was 3 and dying in a hospital.  He was an alcoholic and the reason I made a promise a couple years later to my grandparents never to smoke, drink or do drugs.”  He shrugged.  “Probably saved myself a lot of grief.  Considering I was smart enough to figure out how to make drinkable alcohol by the barrel by my early to mid teen years, almost a certainty.

“Let’s see.  Actually Kenya is on my list.  So is the Ivory Coast.  But not right away.  No rush there.  For that matter, no rush on the passport either if we want to see the USA first.  I was thinking a tour of all 48 continental US states, then Alaska and finally Hawaii.  Might sail to Hawaii, so we ought to take a short yacht tour first to make sure we don’t get sea sick.  I don’t.  I already know that.  I went deep sea fishing when I was 8.  Boat sank.”  Duncan laughed.  “No joke.  My Dad was taking a couple out to show off the boat for a friend who was selling it.  His friend didn’t mention the boat had been sun rotting for 25 years without being treated.  All we saved were the fish, motor and kids.  At least my Dad got the order right.  That’s actually one of the better moments my Dad had.

“For out next date, remember … pick something YOU like to do, or something you would like to see.  Only constraints are your work schedule.  We could even dine in - my place, your place.  We could catch a movie if you liked - or rented / bought a DVD.  We could go to the opera or a play.  Or if there is a mystery theater / restaurant around here, you might like that.  I bet I could look one up in a few minutes.”

https://www.yelp.com/biz/alibi-las-vegas-las-vegas?hrid=23y77wARXjJH2fqboxlmyg&osq=Murder+Mystery+Dinner

Duncan grinned.  “And you are cheating.  YOU are supposed to come up with ideas.  But you mentioned you like reading mysteries.”

He stopped there.  He was trying to scarf food down as fast as he could in between talking.  He had inhaled his first plate - and second.  But he slowed down on the third.