"Just between us? I think she was bitter about havin' her only son taken so she coddled what came back regardless of whether'a havin' birthed it."

When the next drinks are handed over, Tobias leans his elbow against the table and tucks his fist against his chin, looking up at her with all the good humor in the world. He's not a stranger to the sad reactions to hearing his circumstances, when he talks to those few soft-hearted people that even care to ask.

"How big-ass of a monster are we talkin' here? I'm already imaginin' you got at least a head on me."