Small worlds

Just before he was stricken, Robert invited some people from his bridge group over for nibbles and drinks -- his dreadful "student" Adelaide and her lover Edy, and Hope and her husband Lynn from Nashville, and a couple from South Carolina who I thought would turn out to be total sticks but were actually quite sweet. They live on a boat in the old seaport, with all the grimy feet that entails.

After they were gone and I was washing up the bowls and glasses, it struck me what a small place this really is.

Elizabeth, who threw our china, grew up with our electrician's son, Dennis. And Hope is the sister of Shirley Freeman, who used to be mayor of Monroe County and gave her name to the justice center where I was so briefly called to jury duty.

As for Adelaide: Any world in which you need to encounter her is far too small indeed.