An afternoon at the Gore household is as likely to be like this as anything:

Big Daddy taps on the carport door and lets himself in. Janis is mopping the enclosed porch. Lyman is at the grocery store.

"Yoo-hoo. Is anybody home? Is anybody home?"

"Janis is home. Lucy is home."

"What's for supper? Am I too early or too late?"

"You're in luck. Lyman made lima beans with andouille sausage."

"Hey, Lucy. Will you say hello?"

Lucy won't talk.

"I'll get some of this later."

"There's plenty. Eat some now."

"Is that all right?"

"Yes, it's all right. Get a bowl."

"The juice in these beans is delicious. Lucy, can you say hello?"

Lucy doesn't talk.

Janis finishes the floor and the phone rings.

It's Girl. "Janis, is Travis there? I just got back after two hours at the dentist's. He didn't leave a note or anything."

"He's here. He is eating Lyman's beans with sausage."

"What is he doing eating there? I want him to take me somewhere to eat."

"Here, I'll let you talk to Travis."

"Come over here and have a bowl of beans. The juice is delicious."

He hands me the phone. "She's coming."