Kit smiled slightly and picked up the phone. His sister was saying,  And so then I told him  Oh,finally . Kit, don t hog the line; I m expecting a call. Why can t you two just do the magic telepathy thing like you do with Nita  It d be cheaper!

 Vamos,  Kit said, trying not to sound too severe.

 Bye, sweetie,  Tom Swale said on the other end.

 Bye-bye, Mr. Tom, Carmela said, and hung up the upstairs phone.

Kit grinned.   Magic telepathy,   he said. Like she cares that much about the phone bill.

Tom laughed.  Explaining the differences of communications between you and me and you and Nita might make more trouble than it s worth,  he said.  Better let her get away with it just this once. Am I interrupting anything 

 I just finished dealing with a hardware conflict,  Kit said,  but it s handled now, I think. What s up 

 I wouldn t mind a consultation, if you have the time.

He wants a consultation fromme That s a new one .  Sure,  Kit said.  No problem. I'll be right over.

 Thanks.

Kit hung up, and saw the look his mother was giving him.  When s it going to be ready, Mama   he said.  I won t be late.Not too late, anyway.

 About six.It doesn t matter if you re a little late  It ll keep.  She gave him a warning look.  You re not going anywhere sudden, are you   This had become her code phrase for Kit leaving on wizardly business.

 Nope,  Kit said.  Tom just needs some advice, it looks like.

His father wandered back into the kitchen. The TV working okay now   Kit said.

 Working   his pop said.  Well, yeah. But possibly not the way the manufacturer intended.