When the phone rang, she checked the number but, since she did not recognize it, ignored it. Too many telemarketer calls lately. Since she and Fred had canceled the land line, they didn’t get those kind of calls for a while. Another thing that aggravated her. She used to be able to ignore irritants like that more easily. Easily irritable. Was that part of the grieving process too? She hoped so because that wasn’t normally like her.

* * *

There weren’t very many dry eyes the night MJ read the letter to the UFO group.

She cleared her throat and sniffed before continuing. “We never even dreamed of such things when we started this. All I wanted to do was get some of the stacked-up stuff in my craft room finished, to sell, or give away, or put to use. Just out of that wonderful room my husband created for me, since he did all the cabinetry work. And yes, he finished that rather major project.” She nodded to Daryl, who shrugged as usual. But he did grin when the applause broke out.

“So thank you all for coming tonight and can we have our finished project creators please stand.”

Amalia stood with the child’s sweater she had finished. “Now I need to find someone to fit it. The original recipient is about to enter high school.” Two hands went up. She nodded. “Come talk to me.”

MJ showed her crewelwork. “I thought I’d never get it done.” She smiled at the applause. “Now maybe I’ll make a real supper again rather than something quick.”

“I hope so.” Daryl grinned at those who clapped for him.

One of the men stood to show the lamp he had made out of an oak burl. The general consensus was awe. “My wife is really glad too. She’d about given up.”

The fourth one was an afghan, crocheted for an aging mother. “She didn’t have so much trouble staying warm when I started this, but finally threatened to finish it herself. She taught me all kinds of handwork, needlework, whatever you want to call it.”

“Can I be your mother?” someone called.

“Good, good. Remember we need pictures, so as soon as the photographer gets here, oh, there he is.”

“Sorry I’m late,” Rich said, “but I did remember to bring the camera. Of course, that’s why I am late, because I had to go back for it.”

Others chuckled, MJ nodded with a smile. “Thanks for the effort. So, folks, anytime you can go back for your picture. And with that, I see some of you are working already, but now we all can be. Oh, any questions?”

“Not a question, but I think we need to start a scrapbook of things like that letter and other comments along with the pictures of the finishers,” one woman said.

“Good idea. Anyone want to volunteer? Especially someone who won’t let this become a UFO?” MJ looked around the room.

A woman named Judith raised her hand. “I just finished a scrapbooking project. I’ll get this started.”