“This going to be a much longer call? I’m enjoying it, but the operator not coming in worries me. And you didn’t just call to say you’d be stopping by tomorrow or the next day for dinner and then got carried away with all this clothes talk?”
“You want me for dinner tomorrow?”
“It’s been a long time, not that I want to coerce you.”
“No, I want to. Tomorrow.”
“We could make it the following day.”
“No, tomorrow.”
“Good — around five. What should I prepare?”
“If you’re giving me a choice, fish would be fine. Simple — broiled. I could pick it up on the way.”
“You can’t get fresh fish where you are like we get here. But I was thinking of a roast chicken if not a meatloaf. I have both in the freezer and one of these days soon I have to defrost it.”
“I don’t like roast chicken — maybe the only thing of yours I don’t. The idea of it, looking like something I don’t want to be reminded of. I know it’s my problem, but I’m sorry.”
“I’ll cut it up. The carcass will be gone before you get here.”
“Fine then, for what am I going on about? — chicken. I liked it best when you boiled it I think and then I don’t know what you did with the parts — baked or broiled them plain with a little paprika and a single onion slice on top. Just don’t make a big deal. Don’t bake pies. Don’t start cooking early tomorrow morning.”
“Why not? If there’s no heat to very little, it’ll keep the place warm.”
“I’ll bring the wine and bread.”
“Only for you to drink — my system can’t take it. I only have my vodka or two and that’s sufficient. Are we going to speak another minute or more?”
“If you want to. It must be freezing sitting there.”
“I have a bathrobe and blanket around me, so I’m almost warm. Another of dad’s robes you said was ugly, but this one, and am I grateful, you didn’t take. The heater’s on too, so it’s not that bad. I complain way too much. But what was I saying? Nothing. And I hate the operator interrupting, so if we are going to speak a while longer, give me your number and I’ll call back.”
“You have to be sure you want to.”
“I do. I’m feeling very peppy tonight and I love it.”
“You have a pen?”
“I have a memory.”
“Two-four-three, ninety-one twelve.”
“Don’t let anyone take the phone from you. It might get too cold for me waiting if they do. But if you don’t hear from me in a minute it means I forgot your number, so phone back. Bye, dear.” Hangs up. Phone rings a few seconds later.
“Mom?”
“The operator. There’s a ten-cent overtime charge on your last phone call.”
“You never came in and told us.”
“If one of us didn’t, that’s an error on our part, but I have registered here an overtime charge of ten cents.”
“I only have a quarter.”
“We’ll reimburse you by mail.”
“It’ll cost you a twenty-cent stamp, so really wouldn’t be worth it, and I am expecting a call. I in fact probably owe you twenty to thirty-cents overtime for the time I talked.” I put in the quarter. “Thank you, ma’am,” and she says “Have a nice day,” and I hang up. Phone rings several seconds later.
“Hello?”
“Where were you? I asked you not to let anyone use the phone. I also got worried thinking something was wrong — a fight in the booth and the phone turned upside down. Crazy, huh?”
“It was the operator. A bargain: only wanted a dime. But what else is new with you? How’s Goldie?”
“Actually, I am suddenly feeling tired, Daniel, so just tell me how your life is going in other ways, if you don’t want to save it till tomorrow, and then I’ll have to say goodnight.”
“I’ll tell you everything tomorrow.”
“You meet anyone at the party you were at?”
“There were plenty of interesting people there.”
“You know what I mean. Because you should. I don’t want you to be alone all your life. I hope you’re at least still looking.”
“I haven’t been alone. I’ve known many women.”
“A year here, six months there. You’re alone now. And that last one, May. She was very nice, and sweet to me as they come, but for too long I knew she wasn’t your type and you weren’t hers and that it was a lost cause from the start.”
“Funny, but I didn’t think so. And it is strange you ask about tonight, since I did meet someone.”
“Bring her along tomorrow.”
“I only met her briefly.”
“We can postpone dinner a day or two. You get her number?”
“I’ll be calling her. Anyway, it’s too early to talk about and surely too early to invite her for dinner with you.”
“Why? If a woman likes you, nothing’s too early. You once called me a lighthouse, so listen to the light. If you call her early tomorrow, say you’re going to your mother’s for the first time in months and would she like to come along. That way she won’t from the start think you’re a momma’s boy, which you’re not. And when she does see us together she’ll like the idea of someone being so joking and outspoken with his mother, and if she’s from out of town the idea of going to a good family dinner way out here might appeal to her too. A lot of people have heard of this neighborhood and think it’s special.”
“She’s from the city. Anyway, I want to see you alone so we can talk.”
