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down there the other day to take a look. The way Ronnie’s building it, it’ll never fit through the basement door. At first we were going to tell him, but you know how stubborn he is. I swore Jenny to secrecy, and we’re just waiting around for the explosion when he finds out for himself. I guess he’ll have to tear down a wall to get it out.”
    “Another Ronnie Powell project at its best?” Marian started to laugh. “Remember the bookcases on the porch?”
    “Exactly the same,” Sally sighed. “But that one wasn’t so bad. At least he put in a sliding glass door when he cut the hole in the wall. This time we’re hoping he’ll enlarge the basement and turn it into a rec room.”
    Marian laughed, but even to her own ears it had a hollow sound. Sally turned to look at her sharply.
    “How are you really, Marian? You’re sitting there, wound as tight as a mainspring.”
    “Oh, I’ll be fine.” The response was almost automatic by now. Marian forced a smile that wavered a bit, and she was sorely tempted to blurt out all her problems to her warmhearted friend. Sally really wanted to help her.
    “It’s been a tough day.” Marian forced out the words. “Tomorrow will be better.”
    “It’d better be!” Sally buttered a pan and poured in batter. “My kids were awful today. Robbie Benton upset the sandbox right before the bell, and Jane Herman cut her knee on the playground. I thought I’d have a little relief at nap time, but there was no sleep for my bunch today. They were like a herd of little wildcats. There’s only one thing that keeps me going. You’re coming back on Monday. I think that’s just fantastic, Marian!”
    This time Marian’s smile was genuine. Talking about school was safe and easy.
    “Are you going to the teachers’ Christmas party?” Sally opened the oven and popped four fruitcakes inside. “Ronnie won’t go. He says he was too hungover last year. I thought if you wanted, we could go together.”
    “I’ll think about it,” Marian agreed. “It all depends on Dan. I don’t like to leave him alone for long. And I know he won’t go with me.”
    “Got the perfect solution for you.” Sally wiped her hands on a towel. “Ronnie doesn’t like to stay home alone, either, and Jenny’s spending the night at her cousin’s house. Why don’t we lay in a supply of beer at your house and set the guys up playing cards? Then we can go and enjoy ourselves.”
    “Well . . . maybe.” Marian took a sip of coffee and tried to look pleased. She didn’t think she was up to any party, but she didn’t want to say so.
    Sally crossed to the table and sat down facing her. “I get the feeling there’s something you’re holding back.”
    There was no way Marian could resist the sympathetic look on Sally’s face. She had to take a chance and ask Sally. Sally wouldn’t betray her.
    “Sally . . .” Marian cleared her throat. “Do you . . . I know this is personal, but . . . do you believe in life after death?”
    “Yes.” Sally nodded emphatically. “I didn’t believe before, but I do now. Do you want to know what changed my mind, Marian?”
    Marian felt a lump in her throat, and she swallowed hard. She was too anxious to speak, so she nodded.
    “My mom died right after Ronnie and I were married. I still remember how I felt, Marian. It was awful. I loved her so much, I almost wanted to die myself. First I felt terrified. I was numb all over. I couldn’t believe she was gone. I’d go to the phone to dial her number, and remember, and then I’d cry all over again. Ronnie tried to help, but that was when he was in the service. He was only home on leave for two weeks. Then he had to go back, and I was alone, really alone, for the first time in my life.”
    “Sally . . . don’t!” Marian felt the tears gather in her eyes. “You don’t have to talk about it, Sally, really you don’t.”
    “No, I want to. I want to because it was all right after awhile. I remember one morning I was