I spent the rest of the day with them, walking a little in downtown Atlanta, some in Piedmont Park near Tiffany's and some more at their hotel. I was able to eat lunch and dinner with them and catch up on all the news that was the news in the small town of Perdido Beach, Alabama, where they lived. They brought me up to date on what some of my high school friends were still doing; the ones who never left town. After supper, I had a few more minutes to talk to them before I left.

"I know I'm probably pushing my luck here," Mom said, "but have you...