The Last Heroes (Men at War 1)

‘‘OK,’’ he said. ‘‘You’ve been asked.’’

‘‘Because you spend most of your time here, and that would be awkward for both of us.’’

‘‘That’s ‘why not here,’ ’’ he said, ‘‘not ‘why the Advocate .’ ’’

‘‘Because the Advocate is a medium-size paper where I already have some friends. I’ve worked there before.’’

‘‘Just a couple of months,’’ he said.

‘‘I worked there a month last summer,’’ she replied. ‘‘And two months after I graduated from St. Margaret’s.’’

‘‘That’s three months,’’ he said.

‘‘I’d hate it,’’ she said, rushing on, negotiating, ‘‘but I’ll even take the women’s section. Temporarily.’’

‘‘You’ve already considered, I suppose, that you’re throwing away the chance at a good education?’’

‘‘You don’t believe that nonsense any more than I do,’’ she said. ‘‘College is where women are sent to keep them off the streets until they find a husband.’’

‘‘I don’t believe that either,’’ he said. ‘‘And what if I say no, Annie? Then what?’’

‘‘Then I don’t know,’’ she said. ‘‘I do know I’m not going back to Bryn Mawr, or any college, period.’’

‘‘I’ll see what Orrin Fox has to say,’’ he said.

Ann walked to his desk and pushed down on the intercom TALK switch. ‘‘Mrs. Gregg, would you get Mr. Fox of the Advocate for Daddy, please?’’ she said.

When he didn’t cancel the call, Ann knew that she had gotten her way. Orrin Fox, the managing editor of the Advocate, would probably have given her a job even if her father didn’t own the newspaper.

And she was right. Orrin was even willing to start her out city-side, covering hospitals and funerals, which was more than she thought she’d get.

‘‘Thank you, Daddy,’’ she said, beaming, and kissed him.

‘‘Don’t look so smug,’’ he said, trying to sound stern— but she couldn’t help notice the approval and the pride in his voice. ‘‘There’s still your mother to consider. She hasn’t heard about you quitting college, much less about wanting to go live by yourself in Memphis. I wouldn’t think of entering that argument.’’

‘‘I can handle Mother,’’ Ann Chambers said, ‘‘and with a little bit of help from my generous daddy, I can find a nice little apartment. Until the paper pays me enough to support myself.’’

‘‘I’m serious, Annie,’’ he said. ‘‘She’s not going to like the idea of you living alone in an apartment in Memphis.’’

‘‘I won’t be living alone,’’ Ann said. ‘‘Sarah Child will share an apartment with me.’’

He didn’t know what to make of that.

‘‘And why,’’ he asked finally, ‘‘would Sarah Child want to drop out of college and go live with you in Memphis, Tennessee?’’

‘‘Because she’s pregnant,’’ Ann said. ‘‘And not married. ’’

‘‘Christ Jesus!’’ he boomed. ‘‘So the crazy little bitch got herself knocked up!’’

‘‘Dad!’’ Ann cried.

‘‘I didn’t think she had it in her.’’

‘‘Dad!’’ she screamed. ‘‘That’s cruel! And it’s crude! And it’s unfair! And Sarah is my friend. She needs help and she needs me.’’

‘‘So that’s it. She’s it,’’ he said, angry. ‘‘She’s why you’re quitting school.’’

‘‘I was ready to quit anyway,’’ Ann said. ‘‘But I have to help her. She might as well have no family. Her father’s too busy taking care of his bank to take care of her; and her mother’s crazy, you know. A certified loony.’’