“Viv glanced sidelong at Laney’s mug of tea. “Say, you ever have coffee?” she asked. Laney blinked at her and looked affronted. “Why, I never have. And the way I was brought up, a lady doesn’t talk about her maladies,” she said primly. Viv barked a laugh, to the old woman’s great annoyance.”

“Viv glanced sidelong at Laney’s mug of tea. “Say, you ever have coffee?” she asked. Laney blinked at her and looked affronted. “Why, I never have. And the way I was brought up, a lady doesn’t talk about her maladies,” she said primly. Viv barked a laugh, to the old woman’s great annoyance.”

— Travis Baldree