Show IF PHILIP APPROVES By DOROTHY BOYS KILIAN IN TN the flickering firelight John could see lee the grave expression on Katherine Katherine's face ace he knew what she he was thinking about lie He leaned forward and said ald earnestly My dear Im I'm afraid of what tomorrow may do to you And I 1 think U its it's time to put up a real fight for our happiness yours happiness yours and mine Katherine turned to him Darling Darling Dar ling you know Ive I've come to love you I 1 cant can't tell you what knowIng know know- Ing lag you this last year has meant to me But that Isn't enough Kathie Kathle That's only the beginning beginning or or should be I 1 want to marry you you know or haven't you heard I have heard John Katherine Smiled and patted his arm And AndI I 1 dont don't mind telling you I 1 loved hearing it but well but well you know what Is worrying me She glanced instinctively up toward the second floor Yes I 1 know Its It's Philip But Kathie Kathle your son is twelve years old old enough to realize how lonesome lonesome lone lone- some youve you've both been these seven years since his dad died And you know Id I'd do my to be a good father to him Of course you would John And he doesn't dislike you But somehow somehow somehow some some- how oh its it's hard to explain you just haven't gotten next to him John stirred uneasily Yes I think I understand And that's what worries me so about tomor tomor- row When you and Phil go to that dedication ceremony and he sees the new airport being named for his own father well father well it may make you both slip back into the past where I can never find you unless unless unless un un- un- un less weve we've come to a definite decision decision decision de de- de- de about us beforehand Katherine was still for a mo mo- mo- mo ment Then she said Im afraid youre you're right Why dont don't you go upstairs upstairs upstairs up up- stairs and talk to him now Id like Uke to but what on earth can I say to him at such a time as this Just try it John John stood up slowly Heres lIeres hoping he said Philips Philip's bedroom door was half open John stopped just outside and looked in Phil standing at his dresser gave no sign that he knew anyone had come up Phil PhU may I come In John asked What Phil PhU turned around Oh sure lure sure lure come In He lie moved away from tram the dresser and John realized that the boy had been looking at his hi dads dad's photo photo- Ira graph ph A wave of frustration swept over John as a. he looked from the picture of the father to the living son lie He knew what Katherine meant She could not hurt this Image of her first love All the things he had thought of saying sounded hopelessly hopelessly hopelessly hope hope- lessly Inadequate Philip waited silently Yes it was Impossible to say anything any thing now As John turned reluctantly reluctantly relue to go out he put his hand handon on Phils Phil's shoulder Take care of your mother tomorrow Philip It may be hard for her he said laid and started out the door Waits Philips Philip's voice was trem trem- bling What made you say that thaU Why John hesitated I guess because I love your mother so much he answered gently Warmth was creeping into Phils Phil's eyes as he looked up into Johns John's face I have to tell you you you- the words rushed out out out It it gave me the the- funniest feeling when you said that I Its It's exactly what Dad said to me The day he left that last time he he- stopped me in the hall just before before- we all went out to the car ear The room was very quiet for a moment John fairly held his breath Then Philip came closer doser and laid laida a hand almost timidly on his arm You know what he said I r think Dad would have liked you r I think hed he'd like you to help me me- take lake care earl of Mom Its all right then about your mom and me John wanted to bevery be be- bevery bevery very sure Yep its it's OK by me Phil smiled Come on on John said Letsgo Lets Let go down and tell her |