The Big Cat Nap

work until Safe and Sound agrees to it. Herb, this goes on and on.”
    “Well, it does. I went through the same thing. Everybody is covering their butt.”
    She changed the subject. “I bought a Dell. Lots of good stuff for a good price. Well, there’s another company. You try getting something fixed or help from a so-called geek at Dell. What a nightmare. I’m learning about more than computers!”
    “I’ve heard Dell’s support is dreadful.” He fished the mint out of his tea to chew. “Comes down to service. As long as everything works, you’re fine. Those great online deals make you feel like you’re smart. I’d rather pay more for a product and know the people that sold it to me will stand behind it.” He smiled at her sideways. “You know I stand by my product.”
    She laughed. “You stinker. Did you come over here to try to get me to leave the Church of the Holy Light? I know you think I’m a Holy Roller.”
    “Did I ever say that, Miranda? Even once?”
    “You didn’t have to. You high-church people can be such snobs. You aren’t, though.”
    “Well, now, I am a Lutheran pastor and I will always be a Lutheran pastor, but I believe we can all work together. I guess where I havetrouble is reaching out to the fanatics, at least those whom I consider fanatics. The folks who preach about a God of vengeance.”
    “Yes.” She sighed. “Sometimes Reverend Paisley gets carried away with the fire and brimstone.” She brightened. “Other than that, I do love my church. I feel I have a direct relationship to God, and I don’t feel that in what I think of as the high churches.”
    He considered this. “Yes. I know what you mean, Miranda. I really do, but I believe in the liturgy, as well. You know how I feel and I know how you feel. We both do the best we can with what we have.”
    “Some days are better than others. Some days I’m bitter about how my sister suffered.”
    He nodded. “But she’s gone home.”
    “She has. I like to think that Mama and Daddy, and Yippy, her little Pomeranian, were there to welcome her. Well, here I am getting misty.”
    “Miranda, one of the reasons I cherish you is that you’re not afraid to show your feelings. And while we’re on the subject of feeling, you know Harry has her checkup this afternoon.”
    “Yes.” Miranda pushed off harder with her left foot. “She’ll be fine. After this checkup, she doesn’t need to go back for a year.”
    “Our girl has trouble with feelings. Tries to cut them off.” Herb got up and poured himself another glass of tea. Normally this would be rude, but they’d known each other for more than forty years.
    “Now, I could have done that. I’m being a poor hostess.”
    He sat back down. “I dropped by unexpectedly. I’m lucky to be received.” He winked at her. “Plus, you’re really rocking there, girl. I wouldn’t want you to have an accident.”
    They both laughed. She slowed down her rocking-chair rhythm.
    “One accident was enough, and that happened so fast.”
    “Always does. Hey, you heard about Franny?”
    “I’m afraid so. It’s been one thing after another around here. I do have some good news, however.”
    “I’m ready.”
    “Little Mim is going to have a baby.”
    He clapped his hands. “You don’t say.”
    “Big Mim called me today. She and Jim are over the moon. AuntTally is already taking charge—God help Little Mim when her great-aunt gets into it—and I heard that Blair bought every cigar at the shop in Barracks Road as well as the one up by Giant.”
    “Those are expensive cigars.”
    “Wonder if he’ll give me one?” Miranda put her finger to her lips. “Ask him.”
    “I think we should all descend upon them—calling, of course—bring little gifts, and then smoke a cigar. Well, I can’t smoke one, but I can suck in a celebratory puff. I’ll ask for a cheap cigar. No point in wasting one.”
    “When a man is about to become a father, the cost of cigars are part of the thrill.” Herb clapped again. “What good news. ’Course, he’ll have to buy more once the baby arrives.”
    “He did jump the gun, didn’t he? Still, it’s good news.”

A re you in there?” Susan stood outside the clinic’s narrow changing booth, its brightly colored cotton curtains shutting off the occupant from the other women at the mammogram center.
    “What are you doing here?” A note of surprise crept into Harry’s voice.
    “I longed to see you in hospital chic.”
    “Susan, I