A silver bullet shaped diner shone in the early morning light. The gleam forced her to pull her sunglasses down. Talia looked over at Zeke. An excited smile crossed his face as he placed the car in park.

"This is it." Zeke jumped out of the car. She watched as he waited for her. He hopped around like an errant puppy.

"Why are you so excited?" She asked.

"I can't wait to show this place with you. They have the best omelets and pancakes. Gracie, the owner, is going to love you."

Zeke entwined their fingers and dragged her toward the door. It flung toward them when a bustling family left.

The inside of the diner was a site to behold. Black and white checkered tile floors sparkled as if new. Red leather encased the booths and stools at the counter. The smell of coffee, pancakes, sausage and more assaulted her senses. Her stomach rumbled in answer. Looking around at the diner and its patrons, Talia felt like she'd stepped into the past.

"This way." Zeke pulled her to an open booth next to a window over looking the parking lot.

"This place is amazing. How did you ever discover it?"

Zeke flushed. "I came across this place one morning when I was wasted. Gracie fed me, gave me coffee then a strong talking to."

"He didn't listen to one word I said." A middle aged African American woman stood next to their table with her hands on her ample hips.

"I listened to some of them." Zeke stood giving her a hug and kisses on her cheeks.

"You flirt. Sit your movie star backside in that seat." Gracie handed them each a laminated one-sided menu.

"Let me get your drinks and I will be right back." She marched away chatting with other patrons as she went.

"Wait a minute, I didn't tell her what I wanted."

Zeke shrugged. "Gracie has this intuition about what drinks people want. It's uncanny. I bet you she nails yours perfectly."

"I will take that bet."

Leaning forward he said, "What do I get if I win?"

"What do you want?"

Mischief sparkled in his eyes. "One secret."

"A secret?"

"You are the most secretive person I know. So, I want to know one secret."

"Ok and if I win we get to do whatever I want on our next "date". No matter what it is."

"Deal."

Talia and Zeke sat quietly looking at the menu waiting for Gracie to return with their drinks. Anticipation zinged around them.

"Here you go loves." Gracie placed orange juice and chocolate milk in front of Zeke. She placed a cup of black coffee and glass of water in front of Talia. "Here is cream and sugar for your coffee. Unfortunately, we do not have an espresso machine or I would have brought that to you."

Talia's jaw hung open. She stared at the drinks in front of them. Zeke hid his smile behind his orange juice.

"We are ready to order, Gracie." Gracie reached into her pocked for a pad to take down their order.

After ordering, Zeke and Talia sat in silence. Clinking of glasses, plates and silverwear filled the small diner. Talia's gaze wandered outside. She watched a little boy dressed as a super hero running around. His mother was on the phone talking a few steps away. When her conversation was over, she corralled the little boy and they came into the diner.

"I guess I am owed one secret."

Talia slid her gaze over to the smirking Zeke. "I do owe you one. However, you never specified when I was to pay up."

"What?"

"What?"

"You're just trying to back out of our bet. I never thought you'd be like that."

"I am going to pay up, Zeke. It's your fault you never said when." It was her turn to smirk at him.

"I'm gonna get my secret."

Talia just smirked.

As Zeke was about to rail on her about her secret a little voice said, "Captain Defender?"

Zeke looked at the little boy in the superhero costume. A smile spread across his face.

"That's me, buddy. Though today I am just Tristan Thomas. Can you keep my secret today?"

The little head nodded excitedly. His mother marched over in a panic. "Tristan! I told you not to leave the table while I took your sister to the potty."

"Mom! It's Captain Defender!" He pointed to Zeke then blushed. In a whisper he said, "I'm not supposed to tell because he is his alter igloo, Tristan Thomas. His name is like mine."

His mother looked at Zeke and blushed. Zeke had a way with women when he smiled.

"You know, Tristan, you really need to listen to your mom. You don't want her to get worried that someone snatched you up. Someone like Professor Apex."

Tristan shook his head.

"Ok. Then you need to go back with your mom and eat your breakfast."

"Oh." He said sadly.

"What's wrong, buddy?" Zeke slid out of the booth and knelt in front of the little superhero.

Tristan looked at Talia then back to Zeke. He leaned close to Zeke whispering something in his ear. Zeke's eyes snapped to his mother. She stood there waiting while holding the hand of the little girl in a princess dress and rainboots.

When Tristan finished sharing his secret, Zeke stood holding his hand out to the little boy. He placed his little hand in Zeke's while escorting the family back to their table.

Talia watched the interaction in the reflection in the window. Zeke spoke to the little boy one last time. Whatever was being said surprised the little boy's mother. She stood and hugged Zeke thank you.

Gracie interrupted her staring with the food they ordered.

"He's a good man." She said.

"He's something." Talia mumbled.

Gracie scrutinized her. "Sometimes the hardest things to see are right in front of you."

Talia was going to ask what she meant when Zeke arrived back at the table.

"Looks wonderful as usual, Gracie."

She patted his cheek glanced at Talia with a meaningful look then walked away with the serving tray under her arm.

Zeke and Talia dug into their breakfast with gusto. Pancakes melted on the tongue. Eggs were fluffy. Bacon had just the right amount of crunch. Without knowing it, Talia was moaning a bit too loudly. A few older gentlemen looked at her from their stools at the counter. They winked at Zeke with a knowing look.

Zeke smiled broadly. "Good?"

"So, good." Talia said with a mouthful of pancake.

Washing it down with coffee, Talia sat back in her seat. "What was that all about?"

Zeke continued to eat. For a moment, Talia thought he may not have heard her. However, when he sat back in his own seat he said, "Tristan didn't want to take off his Captain Defender mask."

"Why?"

"Apparently, Tristan is only out with his mom and sister for the day. He is headed back to the children's hospital. He has cancer. He didn't want to take his mask off because people would see his scar and bald head."

"Oh no. Poor thing." Talia placed her hand on her chest.

"He told me that he couldn't even eat anything here except for some pudding. His mother wanted to get him out of the hospital even for a few hours."

"That poor little boy. His poor mother. I can't even imagine what they are going through."

"Yeah. Apparently, his favorite superhero is Captain Defender because they have the same "alter igloo"." Zeke put the last in air quotes.

Zeke stared at the food on the table. The happiness he'd shown only moments ago, gone. They sat silently eating the breakfast they'd ordered.

As they finished up, Gracie approached their table. "So, young lady, did breakfast meet your approval?"

"Yes, ma'am. I just wish Zeke had brought me here sooner. But, now I know this place is here I guarantee you I will be back."

"Good. Good. How about you?"

"It was great as usual, Gracie."

She nodded then placed her hand on his shoulder. "I saw what you did for that young man. You are a good man no matter what you try to do." She squeezed his shoulder, winked at Talia then sauntered off.

"She didn't drop off the bill."

Zeke smiled. "I have a tab."

"Diners have tabs?"

"Well, for VIP's such as myself." He smirked and stood from the table.

"Uh huh."

As Talia and Zeke walked toward the door, waving arms caught their attention.

"Bye, Captain Defender!" After Tristan yelled he quickly covered his mouth and blushed. He mouthed "I'm Sorry".

Zeke winked at himthen opened the door escorting Talia out to the car.