home was kept immaculate, everything in its proper
place. As children, we were forbidden to wander in
the rooms and were terrified of touching anything. "Okay, Daddy," I said and folded my drawing
pad. I signed to May and she folded hers as well. As
we headed for the house, I thought this would be the
best and maybe only time I would get to call Robert. I
was sure he was on pins and needles, worrying about
what might have happened after I entered the house
last night.
Robert's mother answered.
"Oh hello," she said with enthusiasm, after I
had introduced myself. "From the way Robert's been
acting this morning, I'd say you and he had a
wonderful time last night. I have to say everything to
him twice," she added with a little laugh. I heard Robert complaining in the background. "I'd better
give him the phone before he throws a fit."
"Hi," he said. "My mother's in one of her
hilarious moods today."
"I can't wait to meet her," I said.
"I'll introduce you . . as long as you know she'll
say anything," he added in a voice meant for her ears.
He paused and then in a lower voice, asked how
things were.
"Everything's fine," I said. "My father was
waiting up and I could tell he was relieved that I made
it home before curfew. And Cary didn't say anything,"
I added, knowing he was waiting to hear about that
most of all.
"Your father was waiting up? I guess it would
have been disastrous if Cary hadn't come to the