"Comfortable. Just barely. But who in their right mind wouldn't like a bit more money to spend?"

"You don't say that with conviction," Uncle Jim said with a smile. "Cough up what this is really about."

"It'll sound silly to you. You have a job. But, Uncle Jim, my job has always been to raise my kids to be independent when they're grown, and I'm almost there. Katie will go to college next year and Todd a couple of years later. I've had my full share of club and volunteer work. I don't want to turn into one of those women who consider bridge night or bingo tournaments with a bunch of their peers the highlight of the week."

Uncle Jim patted her hand. "I do understand, Janey. That's why I'm still plugging away, even though I'm only a desk jockey these days. It isn't the money. It's the pride and challenge of doing something well enough to be paid." He leaned back from the table. "Now, darlin', what's for dessert?"

Ten

Bright and early Monday morning, Shelley was at Jane's door. "Let's fortify ourselves with a good breakfast and then tackle Bitsy."

"You're doing the tackling, right? I'm just the cheering section. I hope."

"I'll be happy to carry it out, but you have to read my version of the contract first, so you'll know when to cheer."

"Is it really good?"

Shelley pulled herself up into a pillar of indignation. "Of course."

"I really should call Mel first. He left four messages on my phone over the weekend, explaining that he was finishing up the paperwork on a big case and asking me to call him back. But I was so busy, and the times I did call, he was away from his desk. What a romance. Phone tag only. We're both afraid to leave a sexy message for fear someone else will hear it first."

"Busy with what?" Shelley demanded, ignoring Jane's reply.

"Buying computers."