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tree trunks. A few random rocks along the drive were actually a chorus line of raccoons. There was a peddler with his pack in a cloud and a witch hidden in the branches of a tree.
    “This is delightful!“ Jane, exclaimed. “You must show it to Edgar. He’ll love it!“
    “Do you think so?“ Avalon whispered.
    Pooky came over to take a look and went hysterical with enthusiasm. “Why, this is wonderful. I love it! Oh, Avalon, would you consider giving it to me? I have just the perfect place to hang it in my apartment. It would change the whole room and mean all the more because an old friend made it.“
    Kathy slouched by, her mouth full of ham and egg roll. “Hey, Avalon, that’s cute,“ she said, spitting a few crumbs as she spoke. “Have you ever used this talent of yours for anything worthwhile?“
    “Worthwhile?“ Mimi asked with a dangerous smile.
    “Socially worthwhile. We all owe it to society to use our gifts to benefit mankind,“ Kathy said.
    “Oh, put a sock in it,“ Crispy said cheerfully from across the room. Several others laughed. “Avalon doesn’t owe anybody anything, Kathy. And if she did go crusading, she might not crusade for your causes. Have you thought about that? Just what are your causes these days, anyway?“
    She’d said it in a light, joking way, but Kathy, though not the least offended, took it to be a serious question. “The same as always, Crispy. Peace, love, the protection of the environment....“
    The individual groups fell silent as Crispy snapped, “Oh, come on! That’s all so easy and trendy to say. What are you doing about any of it?“
    “As much as we can,“ Kathy said smugly. She took a deep breath and several people decently averted their eyes from the expanding T-shirt. “My husband and children and I drive into Tulsa and volunteer every Saturday at the local recycling center. I make my own soap—“
    “All it takes is piss and ashes,“ someone muttered. Jane glanced around but nobody looked guilty.
    “No, it takes time and love and dedication,“ Kathy said. Her voice suddenly caught in something between a hiccup and a snort.
    Pooky had ignored the whole controversy and was still begging for the picture. Avalon didn’t seem to know how to say no to her, but hadn’t turned loose of it yet.
    “It’s a lovely drawing, Avalon,“ Jane said, getting the conversation back on what she hoped was a less dangerous course. Avalon’s next words dispelled this happy notion.
    “I did it the night of the prom,“ Avalon said.
    A sort of collective shudder went around the room.
    “The night Ted died?“ Crispy asked softly, although they all knew the answer.
    Avalon looked as if she were remembering a dream that was both wonderful and horrible. “Yes, there was moonlight almost as bright as day. I’d just finished it when I heard the car engine start and I thought he would back out any minute and catch me drawing the house, so I ran away.“
    The words hung in the air. They all knew Ted hadn’t backed his car out, but had gone back upstairs to die.
    Pooky hadn’t given up trying to acquire the drawing. “It’s so wonderful!“
    Jane was casting wildly about for something to say to change the subject when someone else did it for her. Lila came into the room, looking around for something. She had changed from her antique traveling suit into a brown tweed skirt, hand-knitted sweater, and Old Maine Trotters that had probably been her mother’s shoes. Her Grace Kelly hair was still up in a roll. “Has anyone seen my red notebook?“ she asked. “I set it on that table in the front hall with my bag when I came in—“
    She’d broken the Dead Ted mood and everybody was grateful. “What did it look like?“ Pooky asked.
    “About so—“ Lila said, indicating a 5 by 7 size with her hands. “It has a bright red cover. It’s very important that I find it.“
    “Like this?“ Crispy said, fishing a like object out of her purse.
    “Yes, that’s it. I should