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way her mother had, but it would be wise to play it safe.
    â€œI need your help, Hannah.” Norman took the pan from her arms and steered her away from the booth, barely giving Hannah time to wave goodbye to Ruby. “I’ve got a problem with my dishwasher.”
    Hannah was confused. “‘I’m sorry to hear that, but I don’t know anything about fixing dishwashers.”
    â€œI know you don’t. And I wasn’t asking you to. All I want you to do is help me pick it out. The brochures for the kitchen appliances came today, and I can’t make up my mind between two models.”
    â€œNo problem. I’ll be glad to help you.”
    â€œThanks, Hannah. I was afraid I’d pick the wrong one.” Norman looked down at the pan he was carrying. “I heard you were filling in for Edna. Is this tonight’s winner?”
    â€œNo, it’s part of the third-place entry, a chocolate cherry coffeecake. I’m taking it to Mother.”
    â€œNow?” Norman asked, looking disappointed.
    â€œNow. I’m going to deliver the coffeecake, congratulate Michelle on her win in the evening gown competition, and then I’m going straight home. I think Moishe might be getting sick.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with him?”
    â€œI don’t know. It’s probably the heat, but I’m a little worried. He didn’t touch his breakfast.”
    â€œHow about dinner?”
    â€œOnly a sniff and a lick. And I made him a Denver sandwich without the onions and the bell peppers. I even put in double ham and he still wouldn’t touch it.”
    â€œThat sounds serious. How about if I stop at my house to pick up the brochures, and head over to your condo to check on Moishe? Maybe I can get him to eat. When you get home, you can take a quick look and tell me which model is the best.”
    Hannah didn’t have to think twice about that. “Great,” she said, giving Norman a grateful smile. He always came through when she needed him. And that was one of the things she loved most about him.
    Â 
    â€œHi, Hannah!” Michelle greeted her oldest sister at the door. Her face was devoid of makeup, and she was wearing cut-off jeans and a Macalester College T-shirt. “What have you got?”
    â€œChocolate cherry coffeecake. Where’s Mother?”
    â€œIn Dad’s old office. She’s using it now. She said she had some work to do on her computer.”
    â€œWhat work?”
    â€œI don’t know. I asked, but she said it was personal.”
    Hannah frowned as visions of e-mail romances with prison inmates danced through her mind. “Is she on-line yet?”
    â€œNo. The cable company’s going to have free installation on their high-speed Internet access next month. She told me she’s waiting until then.”
    â€œGood! I mean…I just didn’t want her to start something with…” Hannah stopped, not quite sure how to phrase what she’d been thinking.
    â€œWeirdos, perverts, and creeps?” Michelle asked. “With a few con artists thrown in?”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œI wouldn’t worry too much. I think Mother learned a lot from what happened last spring.”
    â€œI hope so! It just makes me so mad that somebody tried to take advantage of her!”
    â€œMe, too. But it’s over now, and Mother’s smart enough not to fall for somebody like that again.” Michelle gave Hannah a little shove toward the office that Delores was using. “Do me a favor, okay?”
    Hannah knew better than to agree without knowing what Michelle wanted. “That depends on what it is.”
    â€œIt’s snooping. I tried to see what Mother was working on, but she’s got one of those privacy screens. One keystroke and all you can see is a bouquet of flowers, or pine trees in a snowy forest. See if you can find out what she’s working on. I just hate it when people say that