About Schmidt - Louis Begley [39]
I think this lunch went pretty well, but I’m glad it’s over!
He hadn’t heard her come in. She headed for the sofa, rearranged the pillows just the way he had imagined they should be, kicked off her shoes, and lay down, motioning him to an armchair.
Is this role reversal?
Aching feet and bad veins. You just can’t see them, through the wool tights. I get tired standing up.
Me too, but it’s my back rather than my legs.
My back is not so great either. How would you like to go into the dining room and make a scotch and soda with lots of ice for me and whatever suits you for yourself?
Don’t you think I’ve drunk rather enough?
You seem quite sober, but do as you like. I need a drink.
He saw only scotch on the sideboard, but there was no other liquor he particularly wanted, certainly not more of the champagne Dr. Myron had so properly made to appear for the toasts. On reflection, what was wrong with having a drink with this lady on a Thanksgiving afternoon? He handed her the glass and sat down in his armchair, watching her massage her feet.
Are you of the view that I have sent everybody away by prearrangement?
Why would I think that? Anyway, I can’t imagine that you arranged Charlotte and Jon’s exit. You must have been just as surprised as I.
No, that wasn’t my idea, but I knew they were going to do it. If Charlotte hadn’t told me that they were going, I would have suggested that they find a pretext to leave you with me for a while.
And Myron and the others?
Let’s see. In fact, I didn’t arrange for us to be alone, but I did take advantage of how things were turning out. For instance, Myron thought he should go to see his mother. That’s not a fair way to put it; he really wanted to go. She lives in a home for the elderly in Riverdale. Normally I would have gone with him. As for my parents, Seth invited them out; just imagine, they are going to see Terminator 2.
Really?
That’s right; if I hadn’t wanted to see you, I might have gone with them and let Myron make his visit by himself.
And the Warrens? The Warrens have only one wish: to get back to Philadelphia. But they would have stayed for an hour to keep me company if I had asked.
She had finished working on her feet, rearranged the pillows once again, and was sitting cross-legged facing him.
Well, I feel very flattered.
You see, something important is going on, and how it turns out, what effect it will have on Charlotte and Jon, depends to some degree on us.
On you and me? Why not Myron? Why not Jon and Charlotte?
Myron isn’t having this conversation with you, that’s why not Myron. He’s off the hook. I thought it would be better if it was me. The kids—naturally, in the end, they will have to manage. I have in mind a particular moment, which is now, and a very particular responsibility you have for what is otherwise their business. You see, I am very fond of Charlotte. Jon has brought her to see us quite often. We have no daughters. She and I sometimes have late lunch on Thursdays. I don’t see patients that afternoon.
I am very glad to hear it. She is my only child. I tried to have lunch with her myself, two weeks ago, but she was too busy.
She has been working hard. I think, though, that she might have been nervous about seeing you. I wonder whether you realize the full extent of your authority.
Really!
He hadn’t smoked since he had arrived at the Rikers’ and now felt for his box of cigarillos. Would she mind? No she