Playing with Louie and Hank to night, Sharon realized that she had probably lost a bit of the touch and feel of a true old-time Appalachian fiddler. Her fiddling technique had moved more toward Texas swing and Zydeco over the years. She was briefly tempted to pull out the fiddle, then thought better of it. She really was too pooped to pop. Before heading for bed she called for Abiram, in case he wanted in. He appeared when she stepped out onto the porch, and wove himself around her ankles a few times, but when she bent to pick him up, he wriggled free and moved away to the far corner, tail twitching in irritation.

"Your call," she said, and stepped back into the house, closing the door behind her. She settled in under the comforter in the downstairs bedroom, murmuring "Nite ladies," as she switched off the lamp.