25Father Nowakowski played hard-to-get. I made three calls to the St. Adalbert rectory without reaching him. Each time, his secretary suggested I call back soon, since Father Speedy (as she called him) was nearly done meeting with the Holy Name Society.
On the fourth and fifth calls, no one answered the phone. Call number six was picked up by Sister Alphonsus, an old woman with a high-pitched voice and Italian accent. Yes, she said. Father Speedy was done with his meeting, and she’d just seen him walk past. Please hold, and I’ll bring him to you.
But the only thing the good Sister brought me was a dial tone.
Peg was working at the desk next-door and seemed to get the picture. “How’re you making out there, hon?” Her voice was tinged with sarcasm and amusement.
I gave her the swe
