"Oh don't mind that ol' cat." Miss Amelia tsks. "He's ol' and cantankerous." She shakes her head. "Don't even know why I keep him around." But she loves him and it's obvious.

"Now, why don't you tell me all about you, while them boys start cooking?" Miss Amelia asks. "And don't leave anything out. I know that boy ain't just welding and forging up in New York. He seems to think we don't get the news down here, but we do."