Page 6

Six o'clock came and went and still we were waiting for Daddy's Jeep to pull in. Mommy came into the kitchen and banged some pots and pans and then started to put things away.

"If he thinks I'm going to make a duck dinner now, he's got another think coming," she muttered.

At six-thirty. Mommy's lines of anger began to slip and slide off her face to be replaced by folds of anxiety and concern in her forehead. Small flashes of panic lit her eyes as she walked back to the front windows.

"Where is he?" she cried.

When the phone rang, we both looked at it for a moment. Then I lifted the receiver. It was Paula, telling me she would be by to pick me up at ten after seven. I looked at Mommy. I couldn't l

eave her until Daddy had arrived. I thought.

"I can't go, Paula."

"What? Why not? We're supposed to be meeting Ed Wiley and Barry Burton. We practically promised. Rose."

"I can't go. My father hasn't gotten home yet from hunting ducks and we're worried about him," I said.

She was silent.

"Oh, go to the movies," Mommy said. "You're not 'acing to do me any good sitting here and clutching your hands. I'll eat something and watch television. I'm sure he's just gone a little farther this time."

"Why wouldn't he call us. Mommy?"

"Why? Why? Don't start asking me why your father does this or that. We'll be here forever thinking of answers. Go on. Be with your friends."

"Are you sure?"

"yes," she insisted.

"Okay, Paula." I said. "Come on over to get me."

"Good." Paula said and hung up before I could change my mind.

I didn't see how I was going to have a good time. but I went up to fix my hair and put on some makeup. At seven o'clock. Mommy hovered over a plate of cold salmon and some salad, but she had eaten very little.

"Two hours late. Mommy."

"I can read a clock. Rose. When he comes through that door. I'm going to hit him over the head with it, in fact," she threatened. I knew it was a very empty threat. When he came through that door, all the air she was holding in her lungs would be released and all the tension in her body would fly out. We both spun as if we were on springs when we heard a car pull into the driveway.

"See if that's him," she ordered. and I went out to look. It was only Paula arriving a little early.

Paula was tall and slim with long dark brown hair and round hazel eyes. She was the captain of the irls' basketball team and very popular in school. The real reason we were going out together was that the boy she was after. Ed Wiley, was best friends with Barry Burton. who I heard was interested in me, but was very shy. Paula had practically begged me to go out with her.

"Hi," she cried enthusiastically as soon as I opened the door.

My mother stood in the hallway, her arms folded, gazing at us and forcing a smile onto her face. Paula looked from her to me and raised her eyebrows.

"Your father still not back?" I shook my head.

"He'll be fine. Don't worry about it." Mommy assured me. "Go on. Have a good time, girls."

"Thank you, Mrs. Wallace," Paula replied instantly.

Was her budding, romance so important to her that she could ignore our worries? I wondered. One look at her told me most definitely. "Let's go," she urged, practically pulling me out the door.

I glanced back at Mammy and felt so terrible leaving her. "Go on," she ordered in a loud whisper.

"I'll call after the movies. Mammy," I promised. She nodded and we left.