The House of Seven Mabels

out of the discussion.
    Jane was astonished to learn how little a computer costs these days. She had an old, slow one that she’d bought in a fit of pique one summer when the kids were driving her crazy and someone at the bank convinced her she needed it to do her budget. She’d paid at least four times what they cost now.
    Jane couldn’t quite believe she was doing this. She’d been so parsimonious for so long until that summer, when she’d had a bit of an epiphany when she broke her foot and decided she really didn’t have to behave as a pauper. The kids had their college funds set up. Her house had been paid off by her late husband’s life insurance policy. Computers were necessary for kids now. And a better one was a justifiable purchase for her. She didn’t need a new monitor or printer, so hers would be cheaper than Todd’s.
    She didn’t even spot Shelley those two days. She assumed Shelley must have been busy redoing the contract, which was as close as she got to thinking about Bitsy’s house renovation.
    Finally she called her Uncle Jim early on Saturday morning. He worked for the Chicago police force and was far more knowledgeable about computers than she was. Jim was only an honorary uncle, an old friend of her family.
    Jane said, “Uncle Jim, tell me what kind of computer to get. Don’t explain why, please. I’m overloaded with information I don’t understand. Just tell me brand and model. I’m getting one for Todd and one for myself.“
    Laughing, Uncle Jim named one. “Want me to load things from your dinosaur on there before you get started?“
    “Oh. Can that be done?“ She’d been afraid she’d have to completely retype the whole manuscript.
    “I’ll bring my stand-alone Zip drive and download what you want to keep. The computer you’re getting already has an internal one to transfer it to and move it all onto the new one. How about a pork roast with mashed potatoes for dinner at your house tonight? I’ll come over early. I’m off duty at two.“
    “A small price to pay. Thanks, Uncle Jim.“
    “Why are you getting two?“
    “Because Todd and I would fight over a good one. And he needs one of his own.“
    “Why’s that?“
    “I’ll explain over dinner. Or let Todd explain.“
    “Okay. Do you remember what I said to get?“
    “I think so,“ Jane said.
    “Write this down. Exactly as I say.“ He made her read it back.
    By Saturday at one o’clock, both Jane and Todd had computers in the house, somewhat unpacked and instructions sitting out. Todd, thank goodness, had his desk free since the last hamster died and he got rid of the elaborate cage.
    Jane had the roast just starting to warm up when Uncle Jim arrived.
    “Janey, darlin’, your house smells so good. Did you get the computers I told you to?“
    “Would I ask for advice and ignore it? Five o’clock and the food will be on the table.“
    Jim had Todd’s computer ready to go and Jane’s new one set up on her desk and running as she set the last part of the meal, the salad, on the dining room table.
    “Mom, may I take my plate upstairs?“ Todd asked.
    Jane looked to Uncle Jim for approval. He nodded and said, “But don’t spill anything on the keyboard.“
    Todd, to Jane’s relief, didn’t make a face or mention that this warning was obvious.
    “So what’s this all about, Janey?“ he said when Todd was gone.
    She explained about Todd’s amazing math score and the prime number deal. She didn’t get into the teacher’s suspicions. No reason to upset him. He’d have been even madder than Shelley had been.
    “I’m glad you’ve done this for him. And for yourself. You’ve always been too damned stingy with yourself. I guess the Jeffry pharmacies are going well. I saw another new one on my way over.“
    “They’re making money hand over fist. I almost feel guilty about my share of the money. I don’t do any of the work.“
    “But that was the deal when you used that inheritance of yours to bail them out when they were about to go under, wasn’t it? And the one good thing your husband did was to insist you’d get his third share forever as part of the deal.“
    “He didn’t exactly mean to die and leave it to me,“ Jane said. “But I’m glad it was written that way. And it’s finally allowed me to get the college funds set up and spend a bit on myself.“
    “It must break Thelma’s heart,“ Jim said, rubbing his hands together. He’d harbored a strong dislike for Jane’s