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.