"You and Kelly doing Ok?" I asked.

He grinned. "Better than Ok. I only wish we'd gotten together sooner. She's leaving in a week and a half."

"You stickin' around after dinner?"

"Nah, I promised her we'd head up the mall and hang out. I gotta get her home before 10:00. She got in trouble last time we stayed out to late."

"You spending time at her house much?"

"Not really," he said.

"You should. Charm her mother. Get her on your side. It'll help."

"Why?"

"The problems like staying out late usually don't become such big problems, when her Mom's got your back. It's just good sense."

He nodded,...