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Show FICTION r a boy can't understand why a father must do certain things. Sometimes it helps a boy become a man Sometimes By JOHN D. MacDONALD hia mother pleaded with him little while, standing on the side of the locked door of his room, she went away. He lay on his bed in the long September dusk, looking out through the screen across the side yard. He could see, beyond the hedge, the white brightness of the kitchen windows of the Robbins house. He could see a lot of movement in the kitchen. They were having a big party over there. Their hifi was turned loud. People talked loudly in their back yard. Have fun, he said to himself. Have a big time, just as if nothing at all has happened. His father knocked on the door. Open up, Jaimie. I want to talk to you. He hesitated, then went slowly over and unlocked the door. He heard it open behind him as he walked back to the bed. Dont turn on any lights, huh? Lights to show the red puffy eyes. Okay. No lights." His father came to the bed, tall and solid in the How about moving those shadows. size eleven feet out of the way, boy? Jaimie shifted his feet over to the wall. The bed stirred and sighed under his fathers weight. His father lighted a cigarette, the lighter flame momentarily bright against his face. Big doings next door, he said quietly. I thought you and Mom were going." Maybe we'll stop over a little later. Shes upset about you not even answering her, Jaimie. It was rude. Yes, I guess it! was, the boy said. After a I just didnt fed like answering." Youre fourteen years old, boy. Too old to start acting like a little kid having a pout for himself. If I havent got anything to say if I havent got any about anything choice about what happens, then I am a little kid. Okay? Maybe I havent got as much choice as you seem to think I have. What do you mean. Dad? In a lot of ways I dont relish leaving here. Then why do we have toP the boy demanded, feeling himself dose to tears again, trying to hide them by speaking more harshly. I dont know how much of this you can understand. Some day youll understand all of it. I will now order you to listen carefully and try to understand. I work for an enormous corporation, boy. Weve got branch plants all over the country. I know about that." ... listen a little, his father said with heavy patience. At your wage this adjective may strike you as absurd, but I am considered to be one of their bright young men. I work hard. I guess I have good sense. I get along with people. I have a good education. Im what they call an organization man, Jaimie. So they've been boosting me up the ladder faster than is usual. This is the next boost. In Philadelphia Ill have the same job in that plant as the man I work for here. But suppose you tell them youd rather stay here. Dad? Then this would be the (no mean lust |
