"Kind of an understatement, wouldn't you say? Where have you been?" Where did you go? Why did you stay away so long? "And why are you calling now?"

It's a difficult story, one I need to tell you, but not on the telephone. I'm...

342.

A Shadow Falls Through the doorway, darkens the entire hall. Daddy.

Who is it?

Can't tell him! Into the phone, "Hang on." To Daddy, "It's Shelby, asking about tonight."

Tonight? What about tonight?

Daddy's eyes betray suspicion.

Think of something quick. "Uh, it is Halloween. A few of the kids are getting together...."

You mean like a party? You know how I feel about underage parties.

He'll never go for a party, not even chaperoned. "No, no party.

To take the little kids trick-or-treating."

He thinks a second, then says, I.

guess that's okay But not late.

He stands there, head cocked, waiting for me to respond. "My dad says okay. We'll talk later."

343.

I Don't Want to Hang Up But I have to.

Will she understand?

She seems to.

Okay.

But she's not quite ready to hang up either.

One question.

Daddy has retreated to the kitchen, but he'll notice if I keep talking.

I force my voice real low. "One quick one."

Are you all right?

What does she know?

How can I answer?

"Yes...no...gotta go."

344.

I'm Running Really Late So I do something I never do.

"Daddy, I hate to ask you, but I'm kind of late for work.

Could you possibly give me a ride?"

Then I top off the lie, "Shelby's mom will pick me up after and bring me home later."

I'll get home one way or another.

Daddy scowls and Hannah reacts.

I'll give you a ride.

That way we can talk about your mom'

s reception.

I don't want to talk to Hannah.

I don't want her to give me a ride.

But Daddy seals the deal.

Great idea. And I'll start making calls.

Damn, damn, damn. I hate when I'm left without a choice.

But that's the situation now.

I follow Hannah out the door, **

and down the block to her Mitsubishi Mirage. Red, of course. Black leather interior. And still a mediocre ride.

Mediocre. Just right for her.

345.

Thank God it's only several blocks.

Hannah yammers on and on about food and how much champagne we should order and **

Can you help me out with a guest list? I have no idea who your mother's friends are. I assume she'll invite **

her business acquaintances.

Oh. and what about the press?

Should I contact them? Oh, no, your father will probably want to.

And on and on some more.

And I can't concentrate on one-tenth of what she says because the only thing I can **

think about right now is my grandmother. A stranger, but somehow not. Her voice is a memory, tucked away so deep **

inside that trying to extricate it makes my head pound.

And it feels like once I pry it up, a crater will be left behind.

346.

I Thank Hannah for the Ride Go on inside. Preparations are well underway, and an excited buzz carries along the corridors. Sheesh. You'd think the old folks would leave Halloween to the little kids, but no. Any excuse to get out of their rooms and party, huh?

So, okay, that isn't so strange after all. I head straight for the dining room to see how the decorations are coming along. I am not surprised to see William flanked by five elderly femme fatales, hanging cardboard skeletons.

What snatches my immediate attention is Greta, hand in hand with the same gentleman who visited a few weeks ago. They look like a definite thing.

When she spies me, Greta waves me over.

Kaeleigh, dear, I want you to meet Lars. We are old friends.

347.

Speak for yourself, woman, scolds Lars in a heavy Danish accent.

I.

myself am forever young, especially now that I've found you again.

He turns his attention to me.

So happy to meet you. Greta has told me so much about you.

No wonder she loves him.

He loves her, and that little bit of wisdom comes from more than his words. It's written all over his face.

"Good to meet you, too.

And I think you're both forever young."

Greta beams but says, In our hearts, perhaps. But my body reminds me regularly of just how many years I have worn it.

No matter. My Lars has found me.

I can leave this world satisfied.