“Omigosh, Madelyn, the phone keeps ringing. Help! What do I tell people?”

“Calm down, Tom. Who is calling, and what do they want to know?”

“It’s the shul members, Madelyn. They have our email addresses: madelyn765@aol.com or drtombyrne@me.com/ Now they want to know if it’s too late to donate. What do I say? The auction is barely a heartbeat away. What do I say? What do I say?”

“Ya know, our shul members are really a great group, Tom. Imagine, so close to the big night of the auction, and our people are still combing through their cabinets and drawers, the attic and basement, looking for items to help us make this Silent Auction a big success. Isn’t it wonderful?”

“Yeah, yeah, I know all that, Madelyn, but what do I tell them? 

“Oh, for cryin’ out loud, Tom, you say ‘YES!’ Big and bold and loud. Think Lucy Van Pelt, When Charlie Brown asks her a question. She says ‘YESSSS!!!!!’”

“Okey dokey, Madelyn. I get it. I’ll let ‘em know to keep those items comin.”

“Oh, and another thing, Tom. When you talk to the folks, let ‘em know about all the great stuff we have, and what a great party is coming on Sunday.”

 “Will do, Madelyn. Hello out there, everyone from Orient to Riverhead and all the ships at sea. Here’s the date of the Big Silent Auction Opening Party 

Sunday, May 22, at 5 o’clock.

So Madelyn, is that Lucy Van Pelt-enough for ya?”