Okay. Now Steve was confused and a little concerned.
"No one's accusing you, son." In spite of the fact that Steve couldn't have had more than a decade, maybe twelve years on this kid, he got the 'son' treatment. Everyone did. Sometimes it was meant to be comforting. Sometimes it was a warning. Today was the former - he didn't break out the authoritarian tone of voice.
"But for the record, nothing makes a person want to ask you questions more than a sudden declaration that you don't know anything."