"That's a fine name. I had a sister named Alabama. She died of fever before I was born, though." There's a certain lightness to the way Bayard says that, like he recognizes it's a tragedy but also expects that probably Dave's lost a sibling too to childhood illnesses. It's such a common tale that it's exceptional not to have a few dead children in the family.

Bayard looks confused, with a shallow furrow knotting itself into his brow. Clearly Dave's sense of humor eludes Bayard's understanding of the concept. "You've a problem with stairs? Are you lame? Hurt? I can help you if you need a hand."