HELEN AND I ARE SITTING in the living room of the Rectory when Anna gets back.
“Bill, I hear what you’re saying,” Anna says, “but I’m telling you, we need to make a good impression on the community this year. The last time we hosted was a near disaster.”
“Hey,” I call.
Anna and Bill appear in the doorway to the living room. “Oh, hi, Tom. Helen, what are you doing here this time of day on a Monday?”
Helen looks at me. “We need to talk to you, Anna. It’s important.”
“Oh,” Bill says. “Well, from your tone, it doesn’t sound like good news.”
“I’m afraid it isn’t.”
“Anna,” Bill says, taking the two bags she has from her, “I’ll put these in the kitchen then slip out the back way, so you three can have some privacy.”
“No, Bill,” I say, “you can stay. I think it would be for the best. Helen
