"Well then, thank you. That would be great." Mom looking at the tree again. "The tree looks amazing."

"Your son has been very helpful," Mary replied with a smile at me.

"Feel free to keep him for as long as you need. Work him hard."

"Oh, I will!" Mary and I shared a smirk behind Mom's back. "If he's willing," Mary continued, "I'd love to have him come by and help me with a few things over the next few weeks."

"Use and abuse him," Mom joked, turning to face us again. "It's good for him to get off his computer."

I was struggling to keep a straight face at...