"Yes!" Wait. "...I know it likely won't happen. so you can't make fun of me later for believing it would." There, that should cover that. He never got his hopes up, he didn't have any dreams, so nothing could be dashed. Ed knew how the world worked. Lee didn't seem to, but whatever. Maybe he could learn something before she was too cool for him

"You should stay away from Butch. That's my one advice. He's bad news." Even if he was charming. He didn't want Lee with a gangster kid.