“I imagine she is,” Hannah said, and called out to Michelle who had gone into the kitchen to get their mother a glass of iced tea. “Will you set two more places, Michelle? Andrea will be here in a minute or two.”

Michelle delivered the iced tea, along with the can of cat treats. “Here, Mother.”

“But I’m wearing slacks.”

“I know, but those are linen, aren’t they?” Michelle waited until Delores nodded. “It’s the same problem, Mother. If Moishe catches a thread in those slacks, he’ll damage them.”

Delores glanced down at her slacks. “Oh, dear. If I’d thought of that, I would have come prepared.” She turned to Hannah. “Do you have a bath sheet I can use for my lap, dear?”

“Of course.” Hannah got up to find the beautiful new bath sheet her mother had given her after a trip to the mall. Since she hadn’t used it yet, she pulled off the tag on her way back to the living room, and stuffed the evidence of non-use into her pocket. “Here you go, Mother,” she said when she reentered the living room.

“Thank you, dear.” Delores took the towel and spread it out so that it draped over her legs. “What a pretty towel! Where did you get it?”

“From you,” Hannah couldn’t resist saying.

“From me?”

“Yes. You picked it out for me at the mall the last time you were there. I think it’s beautiful, too.”

“It’s lovely,” Norman said. “I should have you choose my towels, Delores. They’re getting old and I’m not sure which color to buy.”

“Of course I will, dear,” Delores said, causing Hannah and Michelle to exchange glances. They’d thought that dear was reserved for them, but now it evidently included Norman.

The doorbell rang and Hannah tabled any questions she might have about her mother’s terms of endearment. She got up to answer it and ushered Andrea in.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Andrea said, pulling Hannah aside. “I just don’t feel like talking to Bill yet, and he’s mad at me too, and . . . well . . . it’s not very comfortable at home.”

“I’m glad to see you, Andrea,” Hannah reassured her. “Come in and I’ll get you something to drink. Then you can join us for dinner. There’s plenty.”

“Who else is coming?” Andrea asked, stepping into the living room and giving a little wave to the group that was assembled there.

“We’re waiting for Lonnie and Mike and then we’ll eat. Have a seat and I’ll get you a glass of white wine.”

“That would be wonderful,” Andrea said, sounding very relieved.