Mildred Pierce - James M. Cain [31]
But Wally, evidently a little nervous, and more than a little uncertain about his status, decided presently that he had to leave. Bert took him ceremoniously to the door, but he discovered that he had forgotten his coat, and this gave him a chance to dash back for a quick word with Mildred. "Hey, is he back? I mean, is he living here?"
"Just saying hello."
"Then I'll be seeing you."
"I certainly hope so."
When Bert came back he resumed his seat, took a meditative sip out of his glass, and said: "Looked like he hadn't heard anything. About us, I mean. I figured there was no need to tell him."
"You did exactly right."
"What he don't know won't hurt him."
"Certainly not."
The bottle was getting low now, but he poured himself another drink, and got around to what he had come for. "Before I go, Mildred, remind me to get a couple things out the desk. Nothing important, but might as well take them along."
"Can I find them for you?"
"My insurance policy."
His voice was a little ugly, as though he expected an argument. The policy was for $1,000, paid-up value $256, and he had never taken out more because he didn't believe in insurance as an investment, preferring A. T. &. T. There had been wrangles about it, Mildred insisting that if anything happened to him "it's the one thing between the children and the poorhouse." Yet she knew it was the next item for sacrifice, and obviously he was bracing himself for opposition. But she blandly got it for him, and he said "Thanks, Mildred." Then, apparently relieved at the easy way he got it, he said: "Well, goddam it, how you been, anyway?"
"Just fine."
"Let's have another drink."
They had the last two in the bottle, and then he said he had to go. Mildred got him his coat, and took him to the door, and submitted to a teary kiss, and he went. Quickly she turned out the lights, went to the bedroom, and waited. Sure enough, in a few minutes the bell rang. She opened, and he was standing there, looking a little foolish. "Sorry to bother you, Mildred, but my car key must have fallen out of my pocket. You mind my looking?"
"Why, not at all."
He went back to the den, snapped on the light, and looked all over the floor where he had been playing with Ray. She watched him with pleased, slightly boozy interest. Presently she said: "Well come to think of it, perhaps I took that key."
"You took it?"
"Yes."
"Well gimme it. I got to go home. I . . ."
She stood smiling as the dreadful truth dawned on him, and his face sagged numbly. Then she stepped quickly aside as he -pawed at her. "I'm not going to give it to you, and there's no use in your trying to take it from me, because I've got it in a place where I don't think you'll find it. From now on, that car's mine. I'm working, and I need it, and you're not, and you don't need it. And if you think I'm going to pound around on my feet, and ride busses, and lose- all that time, and be a sap, while you lay up with another woman and don't even use the car, you're mistaken, that's all."
"You say you're working?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then O.K. Why didn't you say so sooner?"
"Would you like me to ride you back?"
"'Preciate that very much."
"You staying with Maggie?"
"Prefer not to say where I'm staying. I'm staying where I'm staying. But if you drop- me 'by Maggie's, it's all right. Got to see her for a minute, so you can drop me there—if it's convenient for you."
"Anywhere's convenient for me."
They went out together, and got in