[ He chuckles a little awkwardly, but he doesn't seem too bothered by the direction of this conversation. If anything, the chuckle seems to be his way of shaking off any tension in his body, language as he straightens up, watching the ball roll across the table. ]

Quite all right. I'm sure her mother is doing her best by her.

[ The ball eases to a stop, right at the rim of the side pocket. A breath could knock it over. So close, buddy. ]

Well, one thing's for sure. We sure weren't championship pool players at any point in our lives.