it sounded like bliss to me , but i knew that if i said so , ethan would only ask why , so i busied myself with wiping down the rest of the tables instead , daydreaming in the warm , bright diner until he finished his sandwich and the afternoon rush ( which was more of a trickle these days ) started up , and i had to deal with the cluster of junior high kids all ordering bottomless dollar sodas and single portions of fries , cluttering the booths with their vibrant sling of bags and jackets and the breathless buzz of their cellphones .