But it was the older man who started things off. “Joe, your mother talks about you all the time. I’m glad to get to meet you, finally.”
“Well, she more or less has to brag on me since I’m all she’s got.”
“She’s very proud of you.”
“I don’t know why.”
Kevin smiled. “You aren’t fishing for compliments, are you?”
“No, sir. I’ve just never done much to make her proud as far as I can tell.”
“Okay. You never got into trouble in high school. You were a star of the baseball team. You turned out to be a good, decent man even though you never had the guidance of a father. And you’ve worked hard to make a life for yourself since you left home. Recently you got a promotion at work and your boss tells you you’re doing a good job. Isn’t all that true?”
“Well, I suppose so, but…” Joe was impressed
