I breathed deep, welcoming the cooler air. I wondered where would be next on the paper trail of excitement and tried not to wish too hard for bed. In Paris, I reminded myself, the party never ended.

Known to speak French with savoir faire
Also a sense of humor rare
A preference for puns and plays on words
Fits in comfortably with computer nerds

Have to look for it at all my usual haunts.
Check out the library, ask my pharmacist,
circle gas stations and stomp up down
that damn old supermarket.

Dr. von Holbrooke is the town’s mad scientist. Rumor has it that he was fired from NIMH for experiments even they don’t condone. So, twice a month we have tea and gingerbread at my cottage.

I promote my partner to rain monitor. Post him by the conservatory where the roof sounds the alarm and French doors allow full-pelt garden access.

Less than an hour later it rains – despite the BBC’s assurance it won’t.

I tried to get him to take me into Providence when the Splendid Splinter was appearing at a Local 57 softball game. He got home late. My dad ducked out of taking me to meet Yogi Berra too – Yankee hate. This trip to Fenway was maybe to make up for those letdowns.