20 days left

To: docpops2@gmail.com
From: Janelle_birdy@yahoo.com
Subject: Re, the phone conversation

James,
You sounded a bit distraught on the phone, and there were a few things I wanted to follow up on. First and foremost, Lilly got here safely. She is fine. Don't worry about her. She's a bright kid (I direct your attention, ladies and gentlemen, to exhibit A, the time my client was a stand-in midwife for the presidential goat), and it's not like that's the first time she's used the bus (may I remind you of the year she spend in boarding school up here).

She can stay here as long as she wants. She could stay for years without overstaying her welcome. But I won't let her do that. I'll have her back to you in a month, tops. Most likely two weeks. Do not come and get her, James. She is perfectly safe and perfectly welcome here. I think that the running of a house hold is a little bit much for a fifteen year old girl. And I think she is still trying to figure out how to mourn her mother. The death of the government's finest spy at their own hands is especially awful, I expect. And you being buried in your work is not helping.

Use this time to get closer to Alice, and to your mom. Have everything pristine when she comes back. Figure out how to not overwhelm her again.

And leave Lilly to me and Evans.

Most of all, don't worry. It'll all work out in the end.
Janelle


The following is a note that was on Lilly's pillow at Janelle's house.

Hey sweety,
It's good to have you here again. It was very considerate of you to tell me I didn't have to clean the house. And I know already. You are family, not a guest. But I thought you would appreciate a clean house that you didn't have to clean. You may stay as long as your like. See you at dinner. Love, Aunt Janelle