Emmeline receives an envelope. There's a picture inside and the following scribbled on the back--

Uncle Drake and Mom are bad people. I'm going over to Leila's house to stay!



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A telephone call from the campus of Le Tour to a house in Baltimore:

"Uncle Drake, is that you?"

"Who's this? Sheila?"

"No, Uncle Drake, it's Emmeline."

"Emmeline! How are you, Emmy? You haven't written or called in a whole week. How are your classes? Studies going well? Getting along with your teachers? Got a boyfriend yet?" chuckling

"Where's Dalila, Uncle Drake?"

"In school, I expect."

"It's 6 o'clock, Uncle Drake. Where is she?"

"6 o'clock already? My, my, where does the time go? She must be with her friend Leila. Do you want to talk to her. I'll let her know to call you when she gets home for dinner."

"I don't think she's coming home for dinner, Uncle Drake. I think she's run away."

"She's always home for dinner. She's a good girl. Doesn't worry her mother. Always calls."

"When did you last see her?"

"Uh...umm...this morning, I think. No, maybe not. I slept late...haven't been feeling 100% but that's not for anyone to worry about..just the usual foolishness that comes with old age."

"She sent me a picture, Uncle Drake."

"Oh, my sweet Dalila. She's always taking pictures. I think she has a gift."

"It's a picture of you and Mom...on Mom's bed. I think it would be a good idea if you found an apartment of your own...away from Mom and Dad."

silence

"Uncle Drake...Uncle Drake? I'm concerned about Dalila. I suggest you tell Dad that she might be over at Leila's house and that he should not worry. She'll be fine there for a couple of days. I'm going over there tomorrow. Uncle Drake? Are you listening?"

"Bye, Emmy."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

email
to: DalilaSparrow@*****.***
from: EmmelineSparrow@*****.***

Hi, Sis. I'm coming back to town, tomorrow. I'll meet you for lunch at Gary's Grill. We haven't been there for awhile. Has it changed any? Still greasy? Just you and me, OK? Leila can do without your company for a couple of hours. I've been talking to Sheila and Griffin about Mom and her mother Dagmar. Your grandmother Dagmar was quite a character. Anway, lunch for sure. Noon. See you then, kid.

Emmy

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