what does and doesn't change

Finnegan sat in a nice, garden patio area of a cafe, shaded but with sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees leaning over the space from above. He'd already ordered himself an iced tea with lemon and blueberries, along with a fresh salad. He felt quite perky. He was here today for leisure, but also, to meet up with an old student.

Jett Lavelle. Finn had been the one to pick him up, back when the boy had been just fifteen, and far more scrappy. He was twenty-seven now. How time flied! Finn always enjoyed strolling down memory lane, as well as getting updates on the present and future. Jett had graduated (with his Master's in Criminal Justice, goodness gracious, Finn was so proud!), so it'd been a while since they'd had the chance to catch up. Properly catch up, too, not just low effort chit-chat. After running into him recently, Finn figured he should make time. Jett had always been quite the sweet young man to him, after all. A troublemaker, but sweet. And Finn tended to feel a lot of warmth towards those he brought in and helped settle down in Starlight Academy and Manta Carlos.

Finn waited for the other to arrive, eating his salad lazily, catching the rays of sun that streamed in. He had a bag of home grown tomatoes and a small bouquet of flowers set on the table, for a gift, and a book that he had open, reading to pass the time. It was a crime thriller, which he thought was fitting for who he was going to see. He liked to find humor in the small touches. Good book, though, enough to have him invested in grit and drama even on a sunny afternoon.

Finnegan's face lit right up like the sun he was bathing in when he saw Jett, all neat and tidy, looking ever so mature. Was that extra effort for his sake? Finn was flattered, and impressed! Despite Jett's certain boyish looks, he'd grown, it was striking to someone who had known him as long as Finn. The differences were striking.

His smile for Jett was very soft, when he sat down with him. He put a bookmark in his book, and set it aside, giving his attention to Jett instead. He leaned over to half-hug him with one arm since they were both seated, squeezing, then pulled back. "Hello, Jett. You look wonderful, goodness, let me see you!" Finn peered at him and fussed a little, brushing invisible dust from his shoulders, booping his nose. "Very handsome."

"It's been so long since we did this, hasn't it? You recall the days in my office, and the gardens? Of course you do, what am I saying, you're still young, your memory is perfectly fine." Finn grinned. "Now, please, tell me everything! What you've been doing all this time, are you working, dating, doing well? Indulge a curious old man."

He tapped a finger on his lip. "It is a good book, yes, but you're the real star here, spotlight's yours, dear."