Fan, detail.  Image courtesy Rabbit Meets Hat.

D. called.

"I want you to stop giving money to NOW," he said.  "They are feeling devastated that Ted Kennedy has abandoned them."

"Margaret Truman just died," I told him.  "And X just called to say Mercury is in retrograde."

"Oh that explains it,"  he replied.

"Justin says Margaret was no Theodora Keogh.  I must say I rather agree with him."

"Do you have any idea what that actually means?  Mercury in retrograde that is."

"I should think it wasn't good.  Rather something bad, wouldn't you agree?"

"As bad as Ted Kennedy abandoning you?" D. asked rhetorically.  "I don't think so."

"So far we've had a Roosevelt heir and a Truman.  I'm thinking presidential tri-fecta, what do you say?"

But D had hung up, too upset about NOW to be any fun.  I called Larry.  "Have you talked to Nancy lately?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Oh god, I thought it was your turn."

"I've got my hands full with Betty."

"But I thought she was already dead."

"That is so unfeeling of you."

"Well, I can tell you one thing," Larry said in that strained voice you're forced to use when you talk and smoke at the same time.  I waited for him to exhale.  One of those extra long Virginia Slims or Benson & Hedges Menthol. 

"She was no Theodora."