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uninterested people made Marie recognize that she needed to make some changes in her life. Everything about the way she lived spoke of Jack; it was arranged to make it convenient for him to get to her. With Jack dead and gone, there was no reason on earth she should stay there. But where would she go? Babylon? She could never afford it. The thought of moving from her apartment was exhausting. Maybe she would wait a little longer. She heard that, after a spouse dies, widows should wait one year before doing anything drastic like moving. Maybe it applied to sisters-in-law, too. Could she wait that long? Would she be able to tolerate being miserable for another year?
    They finished eating and then came the inevitable. Jeff looked at his watch.
    “Maybe you better think about getting on the road,” he said. She felt a little put off that he wasn’t asking her to stay another night, encouraging her to leave for the city in the morning. He went up the stairs with her, standing in the doorway as she gathered up her belongings and stuffed things into her suitcase.
    “Well, thanks for coming up!” he said. “We will have to do it again. Next month is the big Food Fest; if you liked this weekend, you’ll love Food Fest weekend.”
    The phone in his hallway started ringing. Looking at it sideways, he gave up and went to answer it. Whispering, he hung up, his anxiety palpable. He picked up her suitcaseand followed her down the stairs and out the front door, carrying it to her car. He stowed her case in the trunk and then turned to hug her good-bye.
    “Drive safely,” he said as he held the car door opened for her as she got in.
    She smiled up at him, tired but okay to drive. She could hear more telephone-ringing coming from the house; he began fidgeting and glancing back at the house as she fumbled buckling her seat belt.
    “Thanks again,” she said. “Talk to you later?”
    He nodded yes, and as she backed out of the driveway, yawning, it occurred to her that he hadn’t kissed her. Jeff was running back to his house. She didn’t wait until she was out of Rhinebeck to pull over to the side of the road and stick her finger down her throat.

5
    T here is only so much cleaning that can be done to a small apartment, so by Saturday afternoon, Sandra was getting restless and decided to take Bernice Smith up on her offer. She showered and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, and then picked up the phone to call her. Her maid answered the phone, but within seconds, Bernice was there, animated, hopeful.
    “My dear! I am so glad you called! What can I do for you?” Sandra was always a little confused by the jubilance that her calls elicited, but let it go. What does Bernice expect of me?
    “Hi, Bernice, I was hoping to take you up on your offer for a visit. Is it okay if I come by now?”
    Bernice hesitated just a second. “Why, of course! I’ll send Ben. Stay right where you are!”
    The weather was hot and muggy, so Sandra took the offer of the limousine. It was better than having to find a cab on a Saturday afternoon. “Thank you, I’ll accept the ride this time!” She said good-bye and went to gather up her purse and put her shoes on. She had a pleasant emptiness in her head; going to Bernice’s meant a wonderful meal, total comfort, and relaxation, truly the best of the good life. Sandra knew it was at Pam’s expense. Bernice rang the bell for Mildred as soon as she hung up from talking with Sandra. Mildred came right away.
    “Yes, madam,” she said. It was the fifth time that morning that the bell had summoned her; she was having a time of it with pain in her back bad enough to keep her up all night. And now Bernice was acting like she did in the old days, keeping the staff running for no apparent reason. Mildred decided she may have to say something if this was another call just so Bernice would know she wasn’t alone.
    “Sandra Benson, Jack’s young woman, is coming. Will you let Ben know? He has her address. And