Thirty-One
A CALL RIGHT FROM HELEN after the 8 a.m. Mass dispels my fears.
“Hey,” she says brightly. “I have some news. Want to meet me at The Perfect Cup for coffee?”
“Now?”
“Yes, now,” she says. “Is that a problem?”
“Oh, no,” I say. “My calendar is clear until this afternoon. I’m helping the Knights with the fish fry. Apparently, someone mentioned to them that I wasn’t a bad cook.”
She laughs. “Probably Anna.”
“My guess. Besides, I need to get ready for the Archbishop. Remember, he’s coming over to show his support for me.”
“I had forgotten that,” she says. “I must remember to be on my best behavior.”
I sigh. “Me, too. We just need to remember the rules.”
“Listen,” she says, “you want to talk on the phone or see me?”
I smile and say, “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
A short wh
