And of course, her mom is right there, her arms folded and her expression skeptical.

Betty McCoy is a large woman, and she's pretty humorless and quite suspicious of the entire world. She's had little to find funny for a long time and a lot that proved suspicious. She's concerned, too. What's this white boy doing sniffing around her daughter? Tina's a good kid, but she's got her head in the clouds. She'll learn the hard lessons quick enough. It's inevitable.

"Mom, this is Cal Chandler," says Tina, sending up a prayer for ease of introductions. "Cal, this is my mom, Betty McCoy."

Betty nods and reaches out her right hand. She's no nonsense, and she will judge someone by a handshake.

"Good to meet you," says Betty.