Dear Marion, 

This evening's e-mail brought as an attachment Micha's novel,
Abe Zandsta's Discovery. I will find a place for it in the catalogue
of my priorities, and write to him - and to you about the thoughts
and feelings that it evokes.

At supper, Margrit explained in a matter of fact manner that although
her diarrhea had not resolved, tomorrow at noon she would be fetched
by a friend Jane Mason - in whose house or apartment she would spend
two days, returning on Thursday. I offered to retrieve her, - but no
she said, Jane would bring her back. Thereafter she planned tentatively
to fly to Virginia, where she would stay in a Bed and Breakfast
establishment, pack her car, and be driven to Detroit by an acquaintance.
I made no objection and had no comments except perhaps a general statement
that she should do what she thought was best for her. I anticipate various
practical difficulties, but I will express no opinions and give no advice
unless I am asked. 

Ones perspective will determine whether all this is to be viewed as
a tragedy, a comedy, a farce or a soap opera. Most likely it is a drama
far from unique which devolves in many, if not in most families. Surely
it is a story fit for a novel, and if I live long enough I may even
try my hand at writing it. What you and I have been contemplating is,
however, only the tip of the iceberg so to speak. Underneath the surface
is a family history that goes back to Margrit's infancy, when as soon as
she was able to walk, she would exasperate her parents and grandparents
by sitting down on the street-car tracks and refusing to budge. That was
before I was born, so I can't be blamed for inciting sibling rivalry.
Russian Roulette was for my sister already a childhood avocation.

Time does not stand still. I stopped by her room with a legal document
that I had drafted which would make it much more difficult - in theory
impossible - for potential creditors to obtain the inheritance that I
am managing for her. She made no objection and gave me her signature.
Then she said, maybe I should tell you that my legs have been swelling, -
and indeed on physical examination I found 2+ pitting edema of the right
leg and 3+ edema of the left. She said she had a "friend", a patient
advocate at Ford Hopital in Detroit who would help her with medical
problems there. I said I would talk to Klemens; I did, and related to
him the recent social and medical history. He came and examined her,
found that she was not in heart failure, suggested ultrasound Doppler
studies of the legs, - which she postponed until Thursday or Friday
because she was 81 and ready to die anyway, and because the examination
would interfere with her visit to Jane Mason. Nothing was said about
her hegira to Detroit via Konnarock.

As soon as I finish this letter, I'll set the alarm for 4 a.m. to
be ready for breakfast with Klemens at 4:45, leaving at 5 for the
airport where he will catch an early flight to Baltimore for a
two-day conference with Medicare officialdom.

Jochen