First Peter Plowman had taken off in New Orleans. Then that fucker in Miami had stiffed her, and Steve had given her all kinds of shit as if it had be...n her fault that the check had bounced. This trip was all Steve’s idea anyhow. He had made the bookings. He’d booked her into those sleaze joints. He had booked her here into Cleveland. Her career was slowing down. Money wasn’t coming in liked it used to. Personal appearances were what she needed. All the rock stars did it although she wasn’t no. ”“You have got a good thing going here. A beautiful young dance partner — oh, make that two young dance partners! And you have got dancing, which you are very proficient at. You could blow it all by saying or doing one wrong thing.”“You forget one other thing I have going for me, Mom?”“And what is that, Charles?”“I have got the nicest, prettiest, most caring mother on the face of the planet. Before there was Kalista, before there was even Claire, there was Annie. I love you a lot, you know.”I. ”“Someone has a key, and he wasn’t here with them... I’d bet a suitcase full of money on that.”“You’re probably right, but we may never know who, unless he tries again or trips himself up.“Let’s make some fresh coffee, I’m cold.”We had just poured our first cup when I saw headlights through the kitchen window. I stepped to the door to see Mona get out of her car.“Come on in, we just made a pot of coffee.”“Josey, that’s a mess out there. I couldn’t even tell what it was... “Hi, Rondo. I see. .." I whined."Well I need to go, you may have convinced them to let your mommy stay,but Auntie Cami needs to go get some studying done." Can you come watch her in the morning while I pick up some things fromthe room?" Hannah asked her."Sure, I'd be happy to." Thanks," Hannah said. She turned to me after she left. "Hungry?"I nodded.She leaned over and pulled out the diaper bag we'd taken on ourassignment. She pulled out a few jars of baby food, including one ofthat awful chicken. "Sure you don't.