Читать книгу Lucy Scott’s Grand Stand - Alan Sorem - Страница 9

“Well!” exclaimed Daisy as my son slammed the door behind him. She took the cupcake and wine to the table. “Loud voices in here.”

“We were arguing about my future.”

“Well, I hope you won.” She held up the bottle.

“Beaujolais for you, mon ami! How many is it, now?”

“Eighty-five.”

“A lot of living, hon. Think of all we’ve been through in our lifetimes!”

Another knock at the door. Daisy was on her way to the kitchen to hunt for a corkscrew. I went to answer. It was my neighbor who lives up on six, Carlos Morales.

“Why, Carlos, what a pleasant surprise! Come in.”

“Hi, Miss Lucy. It’s teacher conference day at the elementary school, so Benjy and I wanted to come say Happy Birthday. Benjy has something he made this morning especially for you.”

His seven-year-old son hung back, but Carlos urged him forward.

“This is for you,” Benjy murmured. “Thank you for all your help.”

He handed me a piece of paper folded in half. I opened it.

“Benjy, what a lovely card. Thank you.”

He gave me a big smile and looked around. “Is there cake?”

“Not a big one. Daisy just brought me a cupcake and I’m sure she will be glad to give you half.”

Daisy sliced half the cupcake and found a small plate.

“How’s the job search going?” she asked Carlos as she brought the plate over to Benjy.

He grimaced and replied in a low tone so Benjy wouldn’t hear.

“I had my fifteenth interview yesterday. With the consolidation going on, there’s not a lot of demand for mid-level managers like me. But you know what they say, ‘Hope springs eternal’.”

“You’re certainly due. Rosa still has a job?”

“Yes, thank the good Lord and Bloomingdale’s. And I still have some severance pay left.”

Benjy had wolfed down his share of the cupcake. He eyed the other half on the table. His father smiled.

“Benjy and I are on our way to the playground.”

I gave Benjy a big smile and hugged him.

“Benjy, it’s a good, sunny day for the park. Thank you again for such a fine birthday card. I’m going to hang it on my wall next to my family picture.”