Adam was silent for quite a while after Kirk's statement. Eventually he said:
"This is the first time ever I've heard you mention feeling lonely."
"Don't attach too much importance to it," Kirk said. "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
"Yes. But you've never talked about it, before."
"And I don't intend to do so, in the future. It just slipped out."
"Maybe that's good."
"No it isn't. It's best not to talk about things like that."
"Why? Sincere communication - "
"Sincere communication is very overrated," Kirk said. "To begin with, it's never sincere. Words stop being sincere the moment they leave your mouth."
"I'm not sure I understand that."
"You do. You just aren't honest with yourself about it."
Adam laughed.
"You've changed a lot in the past couple of months, Dad," he said.
Kirk shook his head.
"I haven't," he said. "People don't really change. They adapt. Deep inside, they stay the same."
