But I Digress. . .Where's Willis?

My parents were friends with the Connors for many years. Mom worked with Faye at the University.

Faye was a professor and Willis worked at the National Forest Service. Some of his time there was spent trying to save the pup fish, a tiny creature that only lived in only one lake in the United State. When they retired, they moved back to their home state of North Carolina

Over the years, Mom and John heard from Faye periodically, but heard about Willis less and less. The Connors sent a pre-printed Christmas card every year.

Finally, one year a Christmas card arrived from North Carolina that was different. When she opened it, Mom found a copy of the Connor's card from the previous year, with Willis' name crossed out.

What does this mean? Shirley wondered. After passing it around to family members it was decided the card meant that Willis was no more. He had ceased to be. And that Faye was the cheapest woman in the country.