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She swirled the wine in her glass. “Be forewarned. Hannah is in one of her moods.”
    â€œPoor baby,” replied Rose with sympathy. “She looks unhappy.”
    â€œShe is,” she replied, then added flippantly, “perpetually.”
    â€œIs she okay?”
    â€œOh, yes, she’s fine.” Birdie cut off further inquiry. She didn’t like anyone to think there was any problem with her family.
    â€œThis is probably the first death she’s really experiencing. She was so young when Mom died.”
    â€œThat’s true. She’s seemed so remote, but I hadn’t thought of it that way.” She rubbed her temple and said in a low voice, “To be honest, I can’t accept it, either. It’s so hard. I keep going over it in my mind, how quickly she went downhill. If only I could have been here…”
    â€œNo, Birdie,” Rose said firmly. “Don’t go there. It isn’t healthy. Her doctor was here with her. Really, there was nothing you could have done.”
    â€œYou don’t know that!”
    Rose grabbed her hand to still it and looked directly into her sister’s eyes. “I know what you’re thinking,” she said in her quiet voice that could be surprisingly firm. “That you could have saved her.”
    Rose had nailed it. Birdie squirmed in discomfort and tried to snatch back her hand, but Rose held on tight.
    â€œYou couldn’t have done anything to save her, Birdie. Not this time.”
    Birdie stared into her hazel eyes, blazing with intent, until the message slowly, reluctantly sunk in. When she indicated her understanding, if not acceptance, with a nod, Rose released her hand then smiled faintly and looked away, a little embarrassed about the intense exchange. Birdie took a long, deep breath and said in a robust manner, “So now we’re planning her funeral.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYes.” Birdie paused. “I’m sorry you got dumped with checking all the funeral details. I tried to get here early today but the traffic was unbelievable and…”
    â€œDon’t be silly. I needed something to do.”
    â€œI have to tell you, I’m concerned about the luncheon at Alfredo’s. I telephoned them before I left Milwaukee just to check on our reservation and see if there was anything else that needed taking care of. The idiot girl I spoke to said we didn’t have one! Can you believe that? I didn’t have time to talk to the manager, but I told her to look into it and I’d follow up when I got here. She probably just got something mixed up in her book but I worried the whole way down. Do you have the number handy? I’ll give them a quick call. If they’ve screwed up…”
    â€œBirdie,” Rose said hesitatingly. She plucked at the loose threads of the oven mitt, then took a deep breath. She hadn’t meant to get into this before Birdie had a chance to relax, maybe had a second glass of wine. “They didn’t screw up. I…I never made the reservation.”
    Birdie’s eyes widened with disbelief. “What?”
    â€œDon’t worry, I’ve taken care of everything,” Rose rushed to say.
    â€œWhat do you mean you didn’t make the reservation? Why? We discussed this in detail. My God, Rose, what were youthinking? Did you forget? Why didn’t you tell me? Damn, I don’t know if we can reserve a room for tomorrow on such short notice.” Her voice was high and she placed her hand to her forehead as she paced across the linoleum.
    â€œI didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react like this. You’d drive in from Milwaukee and take over like you always do.” At the surprise on Birdie’s face she softened her tone. “I wanted to do something special for Merry. For all of us—you, Jilly and me. We hardly know one another anymore, Birdie. We need to remember Merry and the good times we had