[ Fiction ] Friday July 27/07

Is that you Clifford? Yes Mom, it's me.

Have you heard from Lizzie? I'm so worried about her!

Elizabeth's fine Mom. She's a big girl and sensible. We had a E-mail from her yesterday. She arrived safely and finished what is supposed to be the hardest part of her journey, crossing the Pyrenees.

Where is she now?

Right at this moment she should be somewhere afoot between Roncesvalles and Pamplona.

I don't know how you could have let her go off traipsing around some foreign country by herself. I don't know why you are not worried sick about her!

You and Jane have got all the worrying that's needed covered, besides she is on her first big adventure. A Medieval Pilgrimage. One that is taken by thousands of people from all over the world each year. She's hardly alone.

Yeah, but it's a foreign country. How is she going to communicate?

Lizzie minored in Spanish at the University, Mom. She knows enough to get by. I'll E-mail her and ask her to call you when she gets to Leon. Will that help?

Clifford the world is a dangerous place for Women and Children nowadays, so I'm still going to worry.

I know you will Mom but as you well know the World has always been a dangerous place for Women and Children and that shouldn't stop them from living.

--------------OK Son. Keep me informed.

Mom don't let her know when she calls but there is a plan afoot to surprise her and be in Santiago de Compostella when she arrives on July 25th. Everything is fine she will be back with all kinds of stories to tell you in no time at all. We'll come and see you on the weekend. [pause] I love you.