Tyler was getting ready for his date with Jane Friday evening when the telephone rang. He'd already dropped the kids off at his parents' house; his mother was taking Tom, Amy and Jay Ricafort to the newest animated film that evening and then keeping them for a sleepover. He picked up the phone hoping nothing had gone wrong. As much as he had been looking forward to this evening, he would be deeply disappointed if something interfered. "Hello?"

   "Hi, Tyler. It's Sarah."

   He felt his frown melt at the sound of his sister's voice. "Well, hi, yourself. How are you?"

   "Miserable," she answered cheerfully. "I'm ready for this to be over."

   "What's your doctor saying?"

   "She keeps saying 'any day now.' She's been saying that for the past two weeks."

   "How's Jake holding up?" Tyler asked, smiling as he mentioned his dashing, eccentric , private-investigator brother-in-law.

   "He's a nervous wreck. As cool and patient as he can be in his work.m, imminent fatherhood has him rattled."

   Tyler chuckled. "He'll be a great parent. You both will."

   "I hope you're right. We have you, of corse, to use as a role model."

   Wincing, Tyler shook his head. "I'm not sure I qualify for that."

   "Nonsense. You're doing a wonderful job raising Tom and Amy. How are my little angels, by the way?"

   "They're fine. Mother's taking them and Jay to see that new kid's movie this evening. I don't know whether or not Amy will sit still long enough to watch it, but Mother seemed to think she would."

   "Tom will like that. He always enjoys being with Jay. It's so cute the way he tried to emulate his older cousin."

   "Yeah—and I'm relieved Jay's a decent kid for him to emulate."

   "Jay's a sweetheart," Sarah agreed fondly. "And Blaire is adorable, isn't she? I talked to Sally this afternoon. She was delighted to announce that Blaire's sleeping through the night, for the most part."

   "Yes, well, Amy's a year older than Blaire and she still wakes up at least once most nights, so don't get your hopes too high for uninterrupted sleep for the next couple of years."

   "How's amy doing with her walking?"

   "She isn't." Tyler shook his head in resignation. "She's still taking a few steps when she's holding on to things. Her pediatrician assured me there's nothing wrong with her. She just hasn't chosen to walk yet. She likes being carried."

   "She'll decide soon that she'll have more fun when she can get around on her two feet. And then you'll be complaining that you can't keep up with her."

   "I'm sure you're right."

   "So what are your plans for the evening? Going to sit around and enjoy the silence?"

   "No, actually, I, uh, have plans."

   "Plans?" He could almost see his sister's ears perk up. "Do you have a date?"

   "Well, Yes. Sort of." Since he was sure their mother would tell her, anyway, he added casually, "I'm taking Jane Doherty out for dinner and a movie."

   "Jane Doherty? Really? I haven't seen her in years. Mother told me about her pulling Tom from the swimming pool a couple of weeks ago. I know you must be so grateful to her for that."

   "Of course."

   "I think this is great, Tyler. I'm glad you're getting out. You need to take some time for yourself."

   "It's only dinner and a movie," he felt compelled to remind her, not wanting her to get any unfounded ideas.

   "I bet Jane has some fascinating stories to tell about her time in New York. I never knew her all that well, of course, since she was several years behind me in school, but I always thought she was incredibly talented. It was a shame Mrs. Finch didn't showcase her as much as she should have in school plays. We all know why she didn't, of course, but it was so unfair."