"Yes, ma'am. Ma and Pa raised me and it's really the first time I've been away from the farm this long. Most times, I'm back before now."

he fell silent, then shook his head. When he looked at her, determination and sureness had replaced fear and sorrow, and he straightened up, eyes taking on a steely blue confidence that would become, someday, rather famous.

"You'll get home, ma'am. Someway, somehow." His voice left no room for doubt, or for argument, ringing quietly with a surety.