“Yes, if you help me with the packing.”

“No problem,” he said as he immediately began folding Violet's clothes.

“What exactly do you want to know?” she asked seeing how seriously the young man was.

“Has your mother married? Or was she ever in a relationship? Is she currently in a relationship?”

“What is the source of your sudden interest?” she asked, wanting to probe for more information.

“Can't a guy be inquisitive?”

“You're a child.”

“I'm a man, just let me know,” there was no way he was going to accept being called a child.

“The answer to all of the questions is no.”

“Wow, that's erratic. Have you...