"I don't mind it, as far as it goes," he said philosophically, "but questions like that aren't good for the stomach and I'm looking forward to this."

He turned to give Jim half a grin.

"It smells pretty close to my mom's."

That made him frown and lean back.

"I should let you meet her. She about flipped when she heard I had a roommate. College was just a little nervewracking."