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She looked emboldened and happy, and began

charging the rest of the way up the stairs with no hint

of fear or trepidation in her stride.

"Well, if Geraldine's ghost is in this house, we'll

throw her out," she vowed, and continued up to my

room.

I watched her climb the stairs and realized that

this was the first time ever I had

had a friend sleep

over. Geraldine never approved of the idea, nor did

she approve of my sleeping over at someone else's

house. She might certainly wake up from the dead to

haunt us tonight. But let her, let her come. We're

ready for her, I thought.

I hoped.

After we hung the curtains and changed the

bedding and we were both snugly under my blanket, I

reached for the pile of letters and pulled out the next

one. Carefully, I unfolded it. The paper was so fragile

and crisp from age that I had to be gentle. It would

take only the smallest amount of pressure for it to tear. "Dear Cathy," I read aloud.

"I assume by now you have read my first letter I

do hope you will have read all of them before we get a

chance to talk privately. Of course, I will want to

answer all your questions. I know you will have many.

I would if I were you.

"I imagine the first question that comes to mind

is why I went ahead with the birth. The moment I set

eyes on you, of course, I was happy I had. I can't

imagine a world without you in it now"