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Tuesday - September 14

Thinking about the walk to Wyler's after she eats, Claire becomes startled by another call. Looking at the caller this time, she sees it's Aunt Ruth. Wow! What a coincidence! "Aunt Ruth, you must have been reading my mind. I was just about to call you."

"Were you now?" she asks. "Well, dear, I hope I didn't wake you."

"No, I've been up for a while," Claire fibs.

"Good. What were you going to call me about, dear?"

"John called a few minutes ago and he has to stay at the CDC for another night. He wants to know if you would like to spend the night with me. I feel absolutely safe, Aunt Ruth. It is, of course, John's idea, not mine."

Aunt Ruth ponders the question, knowing that a lot has to be done within the next nine days. Gleefully, Aunt Ruth replies, "Absolutely, my dear! I would love to spend more time with you."

Claire grits her teeth and says, "Great! That would be great! I have some errands to do today, but how about six o'clock, and I'll make us a small dinner. How's that sound, Aunt Ruth?"

A moment of silence goes by when Aunt Ruth asks, "Dear, do you like fish?"

"Fish, Aunt Ruth?"

"Yes, dear, fish."

Claire wonders why Aunt Ruth is mentioning fish after reading the unusual email from yesterday stating that raw fish can be poisonous. Stalling a bit, Claire replies, "Fish? Yes, yes, I like fish... sometimes. Why, Aunt Ruth?"

"Oh, the market around the corner has the best tasting halibut, my dear; always fresh. I could pick up some for dinner, and also, perhaps a small salad. If that suits you," responds Aunt Ruth.

"Yes, of course. That sounds wonderful, Aunt Ruth."

"Well... oh, my dear, I nearly forgot why I called you. I'm becoming so forgetful at my age," chortles Aunt Ruth. "Did you happen to speak to John about the Population Control Administration Conference meeting on Thursday?"

"Yes, I did. John can't make it, but I will be happy to attend the conference with you, Aunt Ruth."

"That's wonderful, dear! Just wonderful! It's settled then. Well, I'll be over at six o'clock this evening with dinner and my overnight bag. Is there anything else that you might need, Claire?" Aunt Ruth inquires.

"No, there's nothing else, Aunt Ruth. I'll see you tonight at six. Okay?"

"Yes, tonight at six! Goodbye, my dear!"

"Goodbye, Aunt Ruth."

Laying her cell on the counter, Claire resumes making her breakfast. After pouring milk into her cereal, she grabs her toast, and then checks her email to see if anything has transpired from last night's events.

Claire sets her breakfast down and turns on the computer. When she's about to take a bite of her toast, she hears a knock on the front door. Not expecting any company, she wonders who that could possibly be.

Standing up quietly, she hears another knock. Still unsure, Claire goes to the front door to look through the security hole and sees that it's a UPS driver. What's a UPS driver doing here? I'm not expecting anything. Not wanting to unlock the door, Claire decides to use the intercom instead. "Who is it? What do you want?"

"It's UPS, ma'am. I have a package for Claire Bennett," replies the carrier.

"Who's it from?"

Watching the carrier as he reads the package, he responds, "It's from a post office box in Biloxi, ma'am."