My last day with Teresa.

ìHow is your coffee? Warm enough?î She asked.

ìItís perfect coming from a microwave.î

ìI heated it for forty-three seconds.î

ìDid you call Walter this morning at seven?î

ìI did. But yesterday, or was it Monday…I walked the dog again and he called at 7:03 wondering if I had fallen and needed help.î

“Suppose you have fallen and thatís why you havenít called him?î

“He’d call the police if too much time went by.”

ìI couldnít help overhearing your phone conversation with John. A bleeding ulcer?î

ìJohn was one of my Larryís best friends. They did everything together. John never married, but I always invited him to be with us.î

ìEven Thanksgiving…Christmas…with your children?î

ìHe wouldnít always come. Sometimes he would say he was too busy. He is eighty now and he was admitted to the hospital for four days. When they found out he was alone they sent a social worker to his house after he was dischargedî

ìIf they decide he shouldnít live alone, where would he go?î

ìI donít know. He is so independent. But he could afford a nice place like where your mother-in-law lives. He has the money, but he wonít spend it. He is always telling me how well his stocks are doing, but he wonít pay for a house cleaner. He says they are too expensive. He is so set in his ways.”

“Makes you understand why he never got married.”

“Once, right after the war ended, and this was before I met Larry… .î

ìBefore you knew both John and Larry?í

ìYes. They were going to meet at a bar with their dates for some drinks. Larry was already there when John pulled up outside the bar with his date. John got out of the car, but the girl didn’t move. She was waiting for him to open her car door. He walked right past her and into the bar. Larry asked him where his date was and John told him she was in the car waiting for her door to be opened.î

Sunset at thirty thousand feet.

Ever been to the Detroit Airport?