Sons of Fortune

“Just try to be supportive. Never forget to tell her that she looks wonderful even when she resembles a beached whale, and if she gets any crazy ideas, just play along with them.”

“Such as?” asked Fletcher.

“Joanna liked to eat half-pint tubs of double chocolate chip ice cream just before she went to bed each night, so I had a tub as well, and then if she woke up in the middle of the night she often asked for another one.”

“That must have been a real sacrifice,” said Fletcher.

“Yes it was, because it always had to be followed by a spoonful of cod liver oil.”

Fletcher laughed. “Keep going,” he said as they approached the Andersen building.

“Annie will start going to pre-natal classes fairly soon, and the instructors usually recommend that husbands also attend so they can appreciate what their wives are going through.”

“I’d enjoy that,” said Fletcher, “especially if I’m going to have to eat all that ice cream.” They climbed the steps and walked through the swing doors.

“With Annie, it may turn out to be onions or pickle,” said Jimmy.

“Then I may not be quite as enthusiastic.”

“And then there’s the preparation for the birth. Who’ll help Annie with this?”

“Mom asked if she wanted Miss Nichol, my old nanny, to come out of retirement, but Annie wouldn’t hear of it. She’s determined to bring up this child without any outside assistance.”

“Joanna would have taken advantage of Miss Nichol without a second thought, because from what I remember of that lady, she would have happily agreed to paint the nursery as well as change the diapers.”

“We don’t have a nursery,” said Fletcher, “just a spare room.”

“Then as of today, that becomes the nursery, and Annie will expect you to repaint it, while she goes out and buys a whole new wardrobe.”

“She’s got more than enough clothes already,” said Fletcher.

“No woman has more than enough clothes,” said Jimmy, “and in a couple of months’ time she won’t be able to fit into any of them, and that’s before she starts thinking about the baby’s needs.”

“I’d better start looking for a job as a waiter or bartender right away,” said Fletcher, as they walked down the corridor.

“But surely your father will…”

“I don’t intend to spend my whole life sponging off my old man.”

“If my father had that sort of money,” said Jimmy, “I wouldn’t do a day’s work.”

“Yes, you would,” said Fletcher, “otherwise Joanna would never have agreed to marry you.”

“I don’t think you’ll end up being a bartender, Fletcher, because after your triumph in the Kirsten case you’ll get the pick of the summer association jobs. And if there’s one thing I know about my kid sister, she won’t allow anything to get in the way of you coming out top of our year,” Jimmy paused. “Why don’t I have a word with my mother? She certainly helped Joanna with a lot of the chores without ever making it at all obvious.” He paused. “But I’d expect something in return.”

“What do you have in mind?” asked Fletcher.

“Well, for a start, how about your father’s money?” he said with a grin.

Fletcher laughed. “You want my father’s money in exchange for asking your mother to help her daughter with the birth of her grandchild? You know, Jimmy, I have a feeling you’d make a very successful divorce lawyer.”

“I’ve decided to run for president,” he said without even announcing who it was on the other end of the line.

“That’s good news,” said Tom, “but how does Su Ling feel about it?”

“I wouldn’t have taken the first step if she hadn’t suggested it. And she also wants to play a role in the campaign. She’s asked to be responsible for polling and anything to do with figures or statistics.”

“Then that’s one of your problems solved,” said Tom. “Have you appointed a campaign manager?”