Appointment in Samarra - John O'Hara [25]
Doc-tor! came a voice. Oh, there she is now, said the doctor. Merry Christmas! Caroline called out. Merry Christmas, Mother, shouted Julian. Oh, you’re here, she replied, and appeared at the top of the steps. I was just about to say we ought to call you up. It must have been a good party at the club. Julian saw his father s expression change. Mrs. English came downstairs and kissed Caroline, and then Julian. Now let s all have a nice cocktail, said Mrs. English, and then we can tell Ursula to start serving while everything s still hot. You two are so late. What kept you? Did you really get in so late last night? How was the dance?
I couldn’t get the car started, said Julian. Cold.
What? said the old man. Couldn’t get it started? I thought that apparatus you put in your garage, I thought
It wasn’t in the garage. I left it out all night, said Julian. Our driveway was blocked, said Caroline. We re out in real country. It was drifted as high as the roof.
Was it? said the doctor. I never knew it to drift that high out where you are. Remarkable. Well, I s pose a Martini. Martini, Caroline?
Fine for me, said Caroline. What about you, Julian?
Now, Caroline, said the doctor. He’ll drink anything, and you know it.
See our tree? said Julian s mother. Such a skimpy little thing, but they re so much trouble. I like a spruce, but they re so much trouble I don t think it s worth it when there aren t any children in the house.
We have a small tree, too, said Caroline. When Julian was a boy, do you remember those trees? You must have been here during the holidays when we had a tree, weren t you, Caroline?
No, I don t think I ever was. Julian used to hate me then, remember?
Funny, isn’t it? said Julian s mother. Tsih, when I look back. You’re right. He didn’t like to play with you, but my gracious, I don t think he disliked you. He was in awe of you. But we all were. Still are. Caroline gave her mother-in-law a hug. Oh, now, Mother, she said. Julian did hate me. Probably because I was older.
Well, you wouldn’t think it now, said the older woman. I mean that both ways. You wouldn’t think he ever hated you, and you certainly wouldn’t think you were older. Julian, why don t you go to the Y or something? Let me look. Turn your face over that way. & You are. You’re getting a double chin. Julian, really.
Very busy man, said Julian. Here we are, said the doctor. Drink this one, Caroline, and you and I can have another before we sit down.
We can all have another one, said his wife, but we’ll have to take it in to the table with us. I don t want to keep the girls any later than necessary. But that doesn’t mean you’re to bolt your food. Bad for the digestion.
It is if you don t masticate said the doctor. Doctor, please don t say that, said his wife. Chew your food is just as good a word. Well, shall we have a toast?
Yes, I think so, said the doctor. He raised the glass. God bless us, everyone, he said; and all momentarily serious and self-conscious, they drank their drinks. IV Caroline and Julian, in the car, waved to Dr. and Mrs. English, and then Julian slowly took his foot off the clutch and the car pulled away. The clock on the dashboard said 4:35. Julian reached in his pocket and took out the Christmassy envelope, which had been on his plate, exactly like the envelope that had been on Caroline s plate. He laid it in Caroline s lap. See how much it s for, he said. She opened the envelope and looked at the check. Two hundred and fifty, she said. How much was yours? he said. She opened her envelope. Same thing, she said. Two hundred and fifty. Really, that s too much. They re sweet. She stopped herself and he looked at her without turning. What is it? he inquired. Oh, she said. It s just that they re so swell. Your mother is such a darling. I don t see how you if she finds out about last night, your performance, do you realize how ashamed she’ll be?
She s my mother, he said. Yes, she is. It s pretty hard to believe sometimes.
Am I going to be bawled out the rest of the way home? he said.