Mama’s sunk deep into her floral-print couch with a Raytown Brew in one hand and the remote in the other. Jeopardy! is on mute, and her orthopedic shoes are kicked halfway across the room. She looks over, unimpressed.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in and forgot to finish off.”

She takes a sip, smirks, and tilts her head.

“You got somethin’ on your mind or are we just doin’ awkward eye contact today?”