Mother. What are you doing?
You’ll get tired of her. Or she you. It doesn’t last. Love doesn’t last. You look like you’re losing weight. Are you?
No.
Well go to bed. You must be exhausted.
12
AT THE WINDOW sitting in his chair Dad Lewis was awake in the late morning when the Johnson women drove up and stopped in front of Berta May’s house and got out of the car in their summer dresses. They went up the walk onto the porch and knocked and stood waiting.
Dad turned his head and called toward the kitchen.
Yes? Mary said. Do you want something?
Would you come out here?
She came out through the dining room. Is something the matter?
They’re over at Berta May’s.
Who is?
Willa and Alene.
Mary looked out the window. The Johnson women were still standing on the porch.
What are they doing over there? Dad said. I thought they’d be coming here again.
Maybe they’re just paying a call.
Berta May came and drew back the lace curtain at the front window and peered out and opened the door.
I didn’t hear you knock. Will you come in?
Is this a bad time to come? Willa said.
No. I don’t guess it is. Is there something I can help you with? Come in, please.
They stepped inside. Alene looked at her mother and said, We just wondered if we might take Alice out for lunch today.
Take her out for lunch.
Yes. If you wouldn’t mind.
Well, I don’t know. You only want her. Is that what you’re saying?
Oh no, we’d like you to come too if you want to.
She looked at them. No. I see now. I’m afraid I’m getting slow. You thought you might take her for a treat. Is that it?
If you wouldn’t mind.
I don’t mind. But we’ll have to ask her.
Is she here?
Out in the backyard. I’ll call her.
She went out and stood at the kitchen door and called the girl in and they came back together to the living room. The girl was tanned and freckled, in shorts and T-shirt.
Her grandmother stood with her arm around her. They want to ask you something. Go ahead and ask her, if you’d care to.
Willa smiled at Alice. Do you remember meeting us next door when we were visiting Dad and Mary Lewis?
Yes.
We wanted to know if we could take you out for lunch today.
The girl looked up at her grandmother’s big red face.
If you want to, Berta May said. It’s up to you.
For a little excursion, Alene said. Just the three of us.
Isn’t Grandma coming?
No, I’m staying here. I got too much to do right here.
We’d bring you back home as soon as you would want.
Where to?
Where would we go to eat?
Yes.
We thought the Wagon Wheel Café out on the highway. Have you been there?
I don’t think so.
You haven’t, Berta May said. We go to Shattuck’s if we eat out.
I guess I can go, Alice said.
Then you better go change your clothes. You can’t go out in public to eat with these ladies looking like that.
What should I put on?
You decide.
The girl looked at them again and went back into the hall to her bedroom. The women stood and talked, waiting for her.
Then she came back in a yellow shirt and green shorts.
Well, those are some bright clothes, her grandmother said. You won’t get run over at least.
They’re my new clothes.
I know. They’re clean anyway.
Would you like to go now? Willa said.