Drop by drop

Learn that Cindy Stevens has three children, ranging in ages from 9 to 13 (two boys and a girl) a standard poodle (side conversation here about dogs--like Cindy Stevens quite a bit more for seeming charmed by the story of Jenny and her paw and being rescued from New Orleans) a husband who Paints--assume canvases, but don't wish to ask. Also, she doesn't like peas, adores white chocolate (why?) and has a place in Montauk. A shack, she adds, hurriedly, nipping in the bud traumatic flashback about office retreats at the vice-boss's place in Amagansett. We are having lunch at sushi restaurant--paid for by school--development expense budgets decidedly more generous and fattening than academic budgets. As we are leaving restaurant, feel that have had a perfectly good time. Perhaps too good of a time. Wish strongly that wasn't the sort of person who looked for the worm in the apple.