"I know he doesn't have a sweetheart," Maxine said, then took a deep breath. "He lost his family in the war. Like I lost my Joe."

She looked down at her hands, where she still wore her wedding ring. "I've been missing Joe a long time. But-- well. This Christmas, Eric came to my family dinner with me. He fit right in with everyone. And we get along good as friends it's just-- I'm a little nervous about the whole business."