Drake settled into the dining room with his mother, Beverly, to discuss Leslie. “I really think you should stop pressuring Leslie to come out this season,” he began. Beverly leaned in, lowering her voice. “Be honest with me, Drake. Is Leslie…,” she hesitated, “a gay? If that’s the problem, I could find her a respectable young lady to -” “Mom,” Drake cut in, “she’s more focused on her career than on getting married.” “Absolutely not,” Beverly replied in a disapproving tone. "With her background and breeding, she'll never have to work a day in her life; her husband will take care of her." Drake decided to take a different approach. “There are plenty of nice young men in the syndicate. Maybe if she shadows Dad for a while, it will help get those aspirations out of her system, and she can meet someone in a more natural setting.” Beverly pursed her lips, forming a thin line of discontent, but it was clear that the argument was going nowhere. “Fine, Drake. We’ll try it your way—for now.”

“Thanks, Mom. I promise she won’t end up a spinster. Leslie just wants to do things at her own pace. Plus, school starts back soon, so she’ll be around other girls who will be getting engaged this year.”