you do n't need an appointment , or even to call ahead , though it 's never a bad idea to give them a heads- up . her hair had been long back then . she would n't have spent time with her brother-in-law . i said , suspicion leaking into my tone . i listen to the birds outside my window . then suggested my parents ' place , which was even smaller than hers . lets not waste any more time talking about it . 