I decide to put on some music ,the heartbeat of my day. The first to show up for book club is Mr. Clives. This bugs me a little because he's traveled the world and I'm sure nothing I know would interest him.He makes quite the spectacle on the front stoop drenched wearing a Lt. Columbo coat and a fedora befitting Frank Sinatra. I can imagine Mr. Clives at one of those old celebrity roasts with Dean Martin. Trying not laugh I feel as though he might say, "Clives, Inspector Clives, where's the body?" If he were a man of humor, which he is not, I would open the door and say "Mrs White , in the Library with the candlestick..." But instead I find myself saying,"Good morning Mr. Clives, how are you?" He looks at me smugly "Oh fine Miss Richards, this weather is much like that of the weather in Europe where I spent many years." Yes, how could I have forgotten, a pox upon me for being the commoner I am. Never having been out of the country, my company is far less suitable for Mr. Clives than that of Mrs. Batinkoff. The lovely Russian woman immigrated many years ago and is in the words of "Inspector Clives" "most agreeable and charming". I'm convinced he only comes to these primitive little gatherings because of her. He comes in and hands me his coat, "May I take your ...hat ( trying really hard not to giggle). "Thank you." he says heading into the sitting area. As I hang up his detective gear I notice Jackie making a run for it across the street where she parked her brand new minivan. Baby number one and her and her husband already got a minivan...soo cute. The baby carrier is covered with a blanket so little one month old Liam doesn't get wet. The wind must be getting stronger because the Elvis umbrella Jackie has in her free hand seems to keep going up. What a sweet mom. "Hi Jackie let me help you there", I say taking the umbrella and her raincoat. "Thanks, gee what crazy weather huh,maybe I should have put a life jacket on him..." She gestures to the baby and we both laugh.I hang up the wet baby blanket and begin to oooh and ahhh. Let me have a look at the wee Lad" I say with a scottish accent picking up the baby. Jackie's husband Mac is from Scotland and we joke about the way he says certain things. I spent lots of time with Jackie before Liam was born.She is like the sister I never had and since Mac travels a lot for business I kept her company while he was away. We watched Anne of Green Gables three times and Little Women more than that. I also taught her how to knit and make biscuits... Good times. As Jackie and Liam join Mr. Clives I hear laughter outside. Mrs. Batinkoff and Martin are making there way sharing an umbrella. Once again I open the door and welcome my guests,"Come on in out of that rain." "With Pleasure." says the prim old lady as she takes my hand in a squeeze/handshake. Sweet yet formal. She turns to Martin," Tankyou for sharingk your umbrella."

,"Your welcome Evi." Hmph...Evi, I never have known her first name. Apparently Martin is quite the charmer, she squeezes his hand too.