Chapter 113

Alice was packing.

“Whither thou goest.”

“Italy...”

“Oh ... Christmas is coming?”

“Yup ... I need to rehearse.”

“You’ve been singing those lines for weeks.”

“Not with a group.”

“Oh.”

“And not on the stage.”

“I looked it up ... is there going to be enough room?”

“They’ve been producing this opera of that stage for 60 years ... there is room.”

“How are you getting to the airport?”

“Mom and Dad are flying down and then on to Italy.”

Together we said, “She’s going to interfere with my/your life.”

“Will you send me tickets?”

“You WANT to come?”

“You bet.”

She thought about that for a long time.

“I’ll send you money ... unless you want it now.”

“Not now ... mom will want to use it to buy me new clothes. We’re changing planes in Ottawa.”

A light flashed in my head.

“Call Visa and talk to Carole ... with an E ... discuss my life with her ... she’ll want to know.”

I gave that a think ... out with my cell ... punched in numbers...

“May I speak with Carole ... with an E...? Carole? Tyche. Hi ... yes ... been a long time. How you been?”

“In charge?”

“Wow ... great.”

“You don’t own me a thing ... I just called the head office.”

“You’re welcome. My housemate is going to be in Ottawa ... soon.”

“Let me ask.”

“Alice ... when?

“Friday.”

“Carole? Did you hear?”

“Flight from Austin Texas.”

“With her parents.”

“Alice Olsen ... she’s 18 ... so you can pick on her.”

Alice looked indignant.

“Alice ... look for a sign that says ‘Alice Olsen.’ Carole is going to pick you up.”