CHAPTER SIXTEEN
It's a funny thing, but I really thought I was tired last night. I was sure I'd sleep like I hadn't had a day's rest in a couple of weeks. But I'm more often wrong than right. It did feel good to stretch out for a while, though. But here I am up before the kids. Guess my nerves are doing a anxious dance or something, what with Miss Owens coming and all.
Then, too, I did want to get most of what I had left to say finished before the kids get to milling around. It'll be pretty hard for me to concentrate much, later on today.
Like I said awhile back, things were going pretty good with the restaurant. Then I hit a spell when most of my help quit for one reason or another. First thing I knew, I commenced to feel the wolf moving in close, like he is now. I just got so nervous worrying about that damned old beast that I couldn't hardly keep my mind on business. You know how something will get to nagging at you way down inside.
Also, I was putting in sixteen to twenty-hour days, and that wasn't helping my optimism much, either. Then one chilly day about three months ago, I was stumbling along in the pre-dawn shadows on my way to work after a couple of hours sleep, when my wood leg struck a crack crossing an alley. Well, I'd no sooner let loose a king-sized cuss word, when a big gray and white animal, bigger than two police dogs, came snarling out of nowhere and ran right by me. It just scared the hell right out of me.
I was still shaking when I opened the restaurant door. There are some that say I was cuckoo, but when I looked up at Edie's portrait there on the wall, she wasn't smiling anymore. I sure wish I had paid more attention to it, no matter what everyone has tried to tell me, because the second I struck a match to the gas stove I got a great big face full of flames.
It pretty near singed all the hair off my head, before I knew what had happened. I crawled out of the place just in time.
The next thing...
------
"How come yer up so early, dad?"
"Oh, hi, Marty. Just felt like getting some early work done. You're up kind of early yourself, aren't you?"
"Nope. It's almost nine o'clock. I'm first of all the kids, ain't I?"
"Nine o'clock! Good gosh! You had better go wake the reast of the kids, Marty. I didn't realize it was that late. Miss Owens will be here soon and we won't be ready for her."
"I think we're already too late, dad."
"What?"
"I think we're already too late."
"Why?"
"'Cause there's a big brown station wagon out front, and it looks like Miss Owens gettin' out of it."
"I can see the day isn't starting out very well. Better go show her in."
"Okay, dad."
Doggons the luck anyway. I sure thought I was going to get more time than this with the kids today. Maybe it's just as well, though.
"Good morning, Mr. Smith."
"Hello. We weren't quite ready for you, Miss Owens. Just weren't expecting you so soon."
"Oh, that's all right, Mr. Smith. Everything has been arranged according to plan. I thought maybe I could help the children with last minute preparations."
"Thanks anyway. But that won't be necessary. The kids are pretty efficient on their own. Marty, you had better go on up and wake the rest of them. Make sure Harry and John take those sleeping bags home, before they do anything else."
"Okay, dad."
"Sleeping bags, Mr. Smith?"
"Yes. The boys wanted a little extra fun last night, so I let them."
"Oh."
"There is nothing wrong -- "
"Oh, no! Of course, not, Mr. Smith. I think it was a nice thing to do. I hope you didn't think I was poking fun."
"Your voice just sounded a little funny, that's all."
"I guess it does. This business is a little out of my line. I'm more nervous about it than I thought I'd be."
"A job's a job."
"Yes, I know. Have you prepared the children for it?"
"About as much as I can, I suppose. I think they'll hold up pretty well. They're made of real stuff."
"I do wish you'd come with us. The social workers have picked wonderful homes."
"That wouldn't help anything. Besides, I've gone as far as I can go. I wouldn't get two steps out the door, before I broke up. I couldn't let the children see me do that."
"Maybe you're right, Mr. Smith. But I do wish you'd meet some of the case workers. They are -- "
"No! Thanks! You know how I feel about social workers. Maybe later, after things settle down some."
"Do you feel the same way about me?"
"Of course not. In the first place, you're not a social worker. You can at least have compassion about people. Besides, I told you before that your voice sounds so much like my Edie's that you couldn't possibly have an evil bone in your body."
"I sure don't feel very angelic doing this."
"Don't worry about it. I'm glad that you are the person you are. You've made it much easier on me. I sure thatk you a lot for that."
"Like you say, a job's a job. By the way, how's the book coming?"
"Okay, I guess. But I'm afraid our idea isn't going to amount to much."
"Why say that? I think your story will be the greatest ever."
"Guess it could be, if somebody else was to tell it. I'm just not cut out for the writing game."
"You might be surprised with the result."
"Heck, no! I won't ever read it, anyway. That's a joke."
"Not a very funny one. Other people will, you just wait and see."
"It's still worth the gamble. I ought to have it all finished by the time you come back this afternoon."
"Good. I'll -- "
"Dad!"
"Yes, Harry."
"We're all ready. We've got everything all packed in the station wagon. What do we do now?"
"Well -- "
"I'll answer that, Mr. Smith. Harry, you tell everyone to come in, and I'll go wait for you in the car. I imagine that you'd like a few minutes together before you leave."
"Thanks, Miss Owens."
"You're welcome. Are you all right? You look a little stunned."
"I'm okay. Just getting my optimism up where it ought to be."
"Good. Now, don't you worry about a thing. The children will be all right. I'll be back for you just as soon as I deliver them."
"Well, speak up kids. Who's going to be first? -- no volunteers, huh? Okay, let's start from the youngest up. Marty."
"Yes, dad."
"Well, son you keep your optimism up like I told you. I'll be back with you just as soon as I can."
"I know it, dad. I'll pray every day. Bye, dad, I love you."
"I love you, too, son. So long."
"See you, dad."
"John!"
"Right here, pop."
"Now, you keep your studies up. I want good reports when I come to visit you."
"Sure thing, pop. You just take care of yourself. I'm gonna do just like Marty and pray everyday."
"That's fine, son. Better kiss this side, John. Marty left the other side pretty gooey."
"Okay, pop. So long for a while. I'll be seeing you."
"So long, John. I'll be seeing you too."
"Am I next, daddy?"
"Yes, Laurie."
"Daddy, will you keep this dolly for me? I want you to always know I love you."
"Well, gee, honey, that's nice, but I'll always love you, doll or no doll. You can count on that. I don't need your dolly to tell me."
"Please keep it, daddy. Now that I'm getting to be a lady I won't need it."
"All right, Laurie. Just for you, I'll keep it. So long, honey. I love you very much."
"Goodbye, daddy. I'll miss you."
"Harry."
"Okay, dad. I'm ready."
"Well, now -- "
"Dad. Don't you worry about a thing. I'll make sure the wolf don't bother none of the kids."
"That's good, son. But don't you get to worrying too much about it."
"I won't, dad. And say, would it be all right to shake hands instead of kissing. I'm big enough now."
"Well, you're big enough, all right, but I'm not. We'll do both."
"Okay, dad."
"So long, son. You're really something for a man to be proud about."
"So long, dad. You're the greatest."
"Well, Wonderland. That leaves just you, doesn't it."
"Just one more second, daddy. I've got to take a couple of deep breaths so I won't cry."
"Don't cry now, Wonderland. Please don't. Wait 'till later when you're alone. It'll be better on everyone that way."
"Yes, daddy. I'm ready now."
"Don't worry and fret too much form now on. Will you promise me that, Wonderland?"
"I'll try not to, daddy. I promise."
"Just take things as they come. There is no other way to do it."
"Daddy, I'm going to have to run. Goodbye, I love you."
"Goodbye, Alice. I'll see you someday."
"Goodbye, daddy. Goodbye."
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