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wouldn’t let me because I might roll over and squash him. So he had a little bed next to mine. You made him a nice soft cushion to sleep
    on. “
    “I remember. He was a cute puppy, wasn’t he? Who’d have guessed then how big and strong he’d get,“ Jane said. “And remember how soft his fur was? Everybody wanted to cuddle him.“
    Todd was obviously feeling better, having this talk with his mother. Earlier today she’d been so strong about it. Helping carry Willard to the car, and explaining to the vet how he’d died. Jane was glad she’d come home to have this time with Todd.
    “Would you rather I called Katie and Mike?“ he suddenly asked.
    “I’d like it if you would. But if you get an answering machine, though, don’t leave a message except to call home.“
    He cocked a cynical eyebrow. “Mom, I’m not a dim bulb.“
    She laughed. “I know that. I shouldn’t have warned you. I’ll leave you to it and not eavesdrop. I’ll make a cup of coffee and sit on the patio.“
    As she sat outside, she realized that Todd had reached the cusp between childhood and being an adult. It was, as she well remembered, one of the milestones of most people’s lives. Scary but exciting doing the balancing act. Offering to give the bad news to his older sister and brother and sparing his mother was a big step forward.
    The next morning Jane received another call from the architect. “Did you get my message about your dog?“
    “Yes, but when you called, we had him at the vet. He’s dead. Heart attack.“
    There was a silence and Jack cleared his throat. “I’m so sorry to have asked such a tactless question. Your uncle Jim would be ashamed of me.“
    “Don’t worry. You had no way to know. I wanted you to realize why I hadn’t been polite enough to reply. Do you have any idea when the work can start?“
    “Very soon. At least by next Tuesday or Wednesday if it’s to be done before your wedding.“
    “I’m surprised. Yes, that would be wonderful if it could happen.“
    “I can’t promise that the small things will be finished by then. Cleaning the windows, finishing the trim and such. But it will be a livable, usable area by the time you’re back from your honeymoon,“ he added with a chuckle.
    Jane realized that she and Mel hadn’t even discussed having a honeymoon. How could either of them get away from work? Mel was virtually always on call and Jane had some work to do on the almost finished second book. She wanted to get it in well before the deadline, which was two weeks before the real wedding. She’d more or less thought that with the kids home for the wedding, her parents visiting after a long flight, and a fair amount of stress to get Mel’s room ready, that they might just spend one glorious night at a really good hotel and spend the next few days relaxing with family and friends.
    Besides, a honeymoon for middle-aged people, not that either she or Mel thought of themselves as such, was a bit silly.
    Though she was in contact at least twice a week with her parents via e-mail, it would be nice to sit around the kitchen table just talking to them. Or take them to restaurants, and see some new sights that had sprung up all over the Chicago area since they’d last been here.
    Then she thought of her sister, Marty. She and Marty were like oil and water. They’d never shared common interests or values. Marty had been married at least four times. They hadn’t laid eyes on each other for well over a decade. More likely two decades. Jane realized that Marty hadn’t ever met Mike, Katie, and Todd. She had no interest in children. They didn’t exchange birthday or holiday cards or gifts.
    Jane was also afraid to invite Marty, because she always had an inappropriate man, to say the least, living with her. The only reason Jane knew this was because Marty was always nagging their parents to help support the current husband or boyfriend. She never succeeded and never gave up trying.
    Jane also knew that