"Aw...buck up little D-man." She gave him a punch on the shoulder and made a comical face as if she'd hurt her wrist. "You've still got my ridiculous luck, Brucie's charm, and that Timmy kid seems pretty sharp even if he's dumb in love like his old man."

She gave him her best plastered on grin.

"If I survived this long making the stupid decisions I make every day? Smart kid like you is bound to stay alive long enough for something to change around here."

She leaned back in her seat and gave a stretch like she wasn't worried at all, which was a lie.

"And you know who deals with change best? Kids. Not adults, sharp tongued little brats."