Virginia studied the little woman before her. Mavis had struck her as domineering, bossy, and even as a know- it -all, but this latest development surprised even Virginia, who'd learned to expect the worst from everyone. She was amazed at Mavis's grandiose delusions. She wondered how she could get rid of her for good, short of leaving Hamden.

"I was born with it. I didn't ask for it. I saw the shroud on my grandma the night before she died, I saw it on my own little boy the morning he drowned, and I've seen it on friends and neighbors who're dead now. I've tried all of my life to not see it, but like death, it keeps coming, no matter how unwelcome," Mavis continued.

Her son had died. Virginia never knew. Mavis had never mentioned him. She tried to pay attention to what Mavis was saying, but the words, "the day he drowned," kept reverberating in her head.

"I've seen my own Co-walker, like a ghost, it appears before me when I least expect it," Mavis confessed, lost in her own world now.

"I've seen a white bird flying over your head twice now. I've seen more but my ma told me never to tell what I see, that it's unlucky to tell." Mavis sighed. "She never understood why I inherited the sight instead of one of my brothers, because most seer's are male. She told me I'd probably never have children. Women who have the sight are supposed to be barren. But I had children and I kept on seeing. My babies never chased the sight away."

Mavis looked directly into Virginia's eyes. "I know I sound crazy. I'm not. I'm absolutely sane, though the site has come close more then once to turning me into a mad woman. It's a terrible burden, a curse that I can't hide from. You can't escape your memories, and I can't outrun my visions. I've had to learn to live with them, and you have to learn to live with yours."

Virginia didn't respond. She didn't know what to say. The two women sat together quietly. Finally Virginia broke the silence. "I'll be there Saturday night. I think I'll make vegetable lasagna, you'll either love it or you'll never ask me for another casserole. I'll meet you Saturday at five-thirty."

"Better make it 5:00 so you can help me set up," Mavis answered, preparing to head home.

Monty begins another story. Virginia has laughed so hard that her sides ache. "So there I was, flat out of money, with a load of smelly laundry in the machine. What was I gonna do? I was late all ready! Well, I rushed up to this nice looking lady, put on my sweetest smile, and begged her to let me use just a little bit of detergent."

"With that smile of yours I bet she said yes right away," quipped Chris, even handsomer up close then he'd been when she watched him out her window.

"You bet she did! She was captivated by my charm, let me tell you. So she gives me the detergent, thrilled to be of service to a poor hound dog like me. I run over to the wash and like a flash I throw in the detergent - phew, I'm saved." He gives a dramatic sigh. "Just then I hear the lady yell, scared the piss and vinegar right out of me, let me tell you!"

His eyes widen and a look of exaggerated horror comes over his face, "I'd thrown the detergent into the wrong machine! I'd dumped it into her wash," his voice takes on a tinge of hysteria, "and it'd been on the RINSE cycle!"

The room erupts with laughter again. Virginia's having a hard time catching her breath; she's laughed so hard. She and Old Jake reach out to one another for support, their bodies convulsing. Chris joins them, a devil eating grin on his face.

"He's still going strong. That guy missed his calling, he should have been a comedian," he says, reaching out to straighten Old Jake's collar.

"And who says he isn't?" retorted Jake.

Virginia feels shy under the dark gaze of Jake's nephew. All of the sudden, she feels old, and yet like a young girl at the same time.

Jake playfully punches Chris and asks him if he's been introduced to their newest member of the community. Chris smiles at Virginia and holds out his hand.

"It's nice to meet you," Virginia offers, taking his large hand in her own.

"And it's very nice to meet you too," Chris replies.

"I've heard you're quite a reader, and that you're checking out some very interesting books at our little library too," Chris teases.

Virginia can't believe she's heard him right. "Well, I guess librarians don't have to uphold an oath of confidentiality," she finally responds.

"Who, Emma? That'd be the day," Chris answers with a wide smile. "Her life revolves around books and the people who read them. She considers it her duty to inform us of what people who catch her beady little eyes are reading."

"So I've caught her beady little eyes have I?"

"You've captured the interest of a number of eyes here in Hamden," Chris solemnly informed her.