A few weeks ago my mother called out of the blue just to chat. My mother - actually neither of my parents for that matter - is not a person who likes to make casual conversation with me. I come from a long line of awkward talkers. So she called to shoot the breeze and then jumped into the meat and potatoes of her needs. She hemmed and hawed and finally asked that I call a few people to find out whether or not they are hiring because Garrett, my younger brother, needs a job.





