Part 34 (2/2)
”Another thing,” the doctor said ”And again, Ito be alarins has developed a mild coronary fibrillation That is, a heart flutter It could be a result of the excess weight she is carrying, and I think it ht I ask”
”She still has another two hly,” the doctor said ”My guess is six, seven weeks By then ill know the exact condition of the child and prepare to do whatever is neces- sary If the baby is in a difficult breech position, I would prefer to take the child before she enters labor”
'' Six weeks?” Daniel said
The doctor nodded ”I would prefer that But please feel reassured There's nothing to be alarood health There should be no problem whatever happens”
Daniel looked at him and nodded ”Thank you, Doctor”
The doctor went back into the exa room, and a few minutes later Tess came out ”What did he say?” she asked
”He said there was nothing to be alarood shape You just have to lose soht, that's all”
That had been al into Lx)s Angeles He got to his feet as the traineles Last stop Everybody off”
He took his valise from the overhead rack and went out on the platform and was off the train almost before it came to a stop He had asked Tess to wait for hiht in the press of the railroad station He walked rapidly through the ter the driver his address, he leaned his head back against the seat wearily
”Co in from the East?” the driver asked
”Yes,” he answered
”New York?”
”No, Pittsburgh”
”Lot of snow back there?”
”Some”
”Can't beat the weather here,” the driver said ”Nothing but sunshi+ne Best weather in the world, I always say”
Daniel didn't answer He closed his eyes Suddenly he was very tired No way for hihtened up and tapped the driver on the shoulder ''Stop at the first liquor store''
When he came out of the store, the small bottle of bourbon in his pocket, he saw the flower shop next door He picked out a large bouquet of roses, then got into the car and pulled the cork from the bottle with his teeth He finished the half-pint of whiskey, and by the time the taxi pulled up in front of the house, he didn't feel tired anyed,” Tess said as he sat down at the dinner table ''When I talk to you, you don't even sees onto call a strike, and I think we're all going to wind up in the outhouse”
'That's goin' to be bad for you?” she asked, taking his steak frooing to do anybody any good” He cut into the steak and tasted it It was medium rare and juicy, just the way he liked it He smiled up at her ”Nothin' beats home cookin'”
She was pleased ”How about hohed
He looked at her swollen belly ”Let you know just as soon as you're back in business,” he teased
”Won't be long,” she said ”Doctor said mebbejust a feeeks after the baby” She sat down opposite hienerously to the gravy-covered mashed potatoes
He watched her ”How about your diet?”
”I had to go off it I was gettin' too nervous,” she said ”Besides, some of my friends said that doctors are always after woht just to ood”
He didn't answer
You lost weight,” she said
'Tve beenaround a lot,” he said
”It would be nice if you could find work closer to ho you He says he's with theHe wants you to call him”
”He leave a nuive you a job”
”Maybe”
”That would be good,” she said ”Then you wouldn't have to go back”
”I have to go back,” he said ”I gave Murray onna lose, what difference does it ave e Browne offeredbut a cheap crook, taking orders frouy naets instructions straight froo”
She stared at hi about it?”
He shrugged his shoulders ”I don't know But it's none of my business anyway It's an AFL union It's up to them to police their own locals and affiliates There has been so theht now Maybe later, when so about it”
”You should talk to him anyway,” she said ”Maybe it's not as bad as you think”
”I'll call him,” he said
She picked up the empty plates and put them in the sink ”I have apple pie and ice cream for dessert”
'Til pass,” he said 'Tm stuffed''
Til just take a small piece,” she said I never feel satisfied unless I have somethin' sweet after eatin' Coffee?”
He nodded He waited until she put the cup of coffee in front of him ”What time is the doctor's appointot out of his chair and went over to the sideboard and poured hiht it back to the table
”You ought to cut down on your drinking,” she said ”It's bad for your liver”
”I feel okay,” he said He sed the drink, then sat there with his coffee while she finished her dessert ”Mind if I turn in early? I'ht ahead,” she said ”I'll clean up, mebbe listen to the radio a little Rudy Vallee Hour is on tonight, an' the Lux Theatre Then I'll come to bed”