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ones. You organized the birthday parties. You took them to zoos and movies and parks. You gave my daughter joy in her childhood. I owe you big."
    Evvie is never good at taking compliments. "You would have done it for me."

We are quiet for a while.
    "The nightmares are coming back," I say softly.
    Evvie throws me a worried look. "About Jack?"
    I nod. "Funny, both men in my life named Jack. And it's the new Jack putting pressure on me to marry him that's bringing up the memories of my old Jack."
    "Are you seriously thinking of marrying him?"
    "That's just it. I don't know. I really feel as if I could love that man. He's such a terrific person. Yet, I'm afraid."
    "You dated over the years. What's the difference now?"
    "I never was serious about the others. Now I am."
    "But you're afraid you'll lose him, too?"
    "Yes. And I can't give up my loyalty to my husband."
    "Glad. He'd want you to be happy."
    "I know, but my mind won't accept it."
    "But we've got it good, us girls. Why would you want to change that? Isn't it enough? Do you really need a man in your life at this age?"
    "Hey, what side are you on? First you encourage me to marry and then you're making a case for staying with you and the girls."
    "I only want what's best for you. And I'm not sure which it is." Evvie warms to her subject. "Maybe I'm just being selfish and I don't want to lose you.
    "I mean, I know how it was when you first got here. You had your Brainiacs Club--you and all your smart college-grad pals. Francie and Millie and Conchetta and Sandra and Joan. You and your New York Times crossword puzzles and the political lecture series and plays you went to that we never understood."
    "Things changed."
    "They sure did. Francie's dead and Millie's got Alzheimer's and Joan and Sandra moved back up north. You still have Conchetta."
    "Not very often. Between the library and her very big family, I hardly see her."
    "My friends made room for you. I know they're not the smartest, but they all love you."
    This is the first time Evvie has ever said these things, and I am touched.
    "Hey, I love you all, too. You're all cute and sweet, even though sometimes you drive me crazy. I'd give you a hug, but I'd run the car off the road."
    She grins. "I'll collect later."
    I sigh. "I don't know, Ev, I don't honestly know what I want to do. I'll let you know when I decide."
    "Yeah, you do that." Evvie smiles at me.
    "You'll be the first to know." I reach for my water bottle. Evvie sips at her Diet Coke. For a few moments, we are both lost in our thoughts.
    "Wanna laugh?" I say. "Guess what I just learned the other night? Jack was also a cop--a homicide detective like Morrie, not in some boring office job in 'Administration.' "
    "No kidding. That's nice to know. Maybe he can protect us with that great big gun he must have."
    I laugh. "Naughty, naughty. Shame on you."
    Evvie pokes me in the shoulder and laughs.
    I can tell she is trying to get past our past. She straightens in her seat and freshens her makeup using the sun-visor mirror.
    "About this funeral . . . ?"
    "It's for Josephine Dano Martinson, who died all alone in a steam room in her health spa."
    "And we are going to accomplish . . . what?"
    "I'm not sure. I just thought if we went there something might jump out at us."
    "Yeah, a ghost."
    "Very funny."
    " I thought so."
    "I mean, I thought of going to the golf course where Mrs. Sampson died or the spa where Mrs. Martinson died, but those are private places and we'd never get in. By now, whatever evidence there was is probably gone. Anyway, this funeral is outside. We can meander and not be noticed, so that's why we're going. Clear?"
    "Clear as mud," Evvie says. Then she smiles. "Okay, lady detective, let's detect."
    We pass the Deerfield Beach pier, so I know we are getting close.
    "Look at the map; the Boca turnoff is pretty close now. Just find me the way to get to the cemetery."

    We walk quickly up the slope of the Holy Order Catholic Cemetery. I can see that the