[ He looks almost surprised by her question. But then again, Ginny's the only person he treats with any sort of trust beyond Steve. He's not used to anyone being interested. ]

The Depression weren't great for people surviving their ills. And my dad was a soldier, he was gone a lot. He was just always telling me to be good. [ He gulps down a burning swallow of his drink. He doesn't remember much of his own mother, just the grainy photos on his father's desk. I remember Steve's mom looking after me the most, y'know? I guess she had to 'cause I wouldn't leave her son alone. [ A smile curving up her lips. ] She was a saint. She didn't think twice about letting the unruly kid from the orphanage into her house. Even if I was leading Steve astray half the time.