On
the top of the scroll that emerged from the artists book object-with-no-key, the next image was to Caydance's eyes a child-taken--photograph-redolent view of a car parked in front of a house. The house was in a row with similar suburban houses. Judging from the shrubs and flowers in the small front yard, Caydance guessed that the scene was on the East Coast. The car and the unusual viewpoint -- not in front of the house and car but as if the photographer was standing across the street, somewhat below the car -- were familiar. She did not know why.
This would be a good time for her older brother, Jack, to ring the doorbell. Back with no advance notice from wherever he had been. Ready to take her out to dinner anywhere she wanted. Knowledgeable about cars. Jack would be happy to talk forever about the make or model.
Where was Jack? It was a common O’Brien family question. Jack's former wife probably knew where he was, but telephoning Violet would result in stream of semi-truthful narratives relating the ups and downs of their relationship in vivid text technicolor..