tied in knots trying to live up to your expectations. A thousand times you told me I could do better. I’m the one who’s like you and I’m proud of it, even if you never understand. And I am going to the top, all the way, Mom, so get used to it and do as I say!”
“Never!”
“You stubborn woman!” He was shouting now. “You’re going to get sick and die, just like Dad, and I don’t want any part of it!”
“You listen to me!” I shouted back.
“I’ve spent a lifetime listening – now you listen to me!”
Five knocks on the door, ratta-tat-tat-tat.
He smoothed his hair back with his free hand. He took a deep breath and gave me a frown.
“Hope it’s not those Pakistanis down the hall. Just another reason to move, Mom. The roaches swarm here from their place.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s a doctor. He has his Ph.D.”
He didn’t hear me as he turned away again.
“That’s just fine, Mom. Gotta go. Driver’s waiting. Remember, take your pills at the right time. Maybe they’ll help. Bye, now.”
He opened the door. “Oh, it’s you.”
My friend Daisy entered, a bottle of wine under her arm and carrying a saucer with a cupcake, a lighted candle in the middle of it.
Jim Junior turned back to me. “Two weeks, Mom.”
As she entered, Daisy looked him up and down and said in a sarcastic tone, “Goodbye, Prince Charming.”
My son rushed out and slammed the door as he left. Daisy shielded the candle from the breeze.
3
“Well!” exclaimed Daisy as my son slammed the door behind him. She took the cupcake and wine to the table. “Loud voices in here.”
“We were arguing about my future.”
“Well, I hope you won.” She held up the bottle.
“Beaujolais for you, mon ami! How many is it, now?”
“Eighty-five.”
“A lot of living, hon. Think of all we’ve been through in our lifetimes!”
Another knock at the door. Daisy was on her way to the kitchen to hunt for a corkscrew. I went to answer. It was my neighbor who lives up on six, Carlos Morales.
“Why, Carlos, what a pleasant surprise! Come in.”
“Hi, Miss Lucy. It’s teacher conference day at the elementary school, so Benjy and I wanted to come say Happy Birthday. Benjy has something he made this morning especially for you.”
His seven-year-old son hung back, but Carlos urged him forward.
“This is for you,” Benjy murmured. “Thank you for all your help.”
He handed me a piece of paper folded in half. I opened it.
“Benjy, what a lovely card. Thank you.”
He gave me a big smile and looked around. “Is there cake?”
“Not a big one. Daisy just brought me a cupcake and I’m sure she will be glad to give you half.”
Daisy sliced half the cupcake and found a small plate.
“How’s the job search going?” she asked Carlos as she brought the plate over to Benjy.
He grimaced and replied in a low tone so Benjy wouldn’t hear.
“I had my fifteenth interview yesterday. With the consolidation going on, there’s not a lot of demand for mid-level managers like me. But you know what they say, ‘Hope springs eternal’.”
“You’re certainly due. Rosa still has a job?”
“Yes, thank the good Lord and Bloomingdale’s. And I still have some severance pay left.”
Benjy had wolfed down his share of the cupcake. He eyed the other half on the table. His father smiled.
“Benjy and I are on our way to the playground.”
I gave Benjy a big smile and hugged him.
“Benjy, it’s a good, sunny day for the park. Thank you again for such a fine birthday card. I’m going to hang it on my wall next to my family picture.”
4
Daisy and I had just settled in for a long chat over our Beaujolais when there was a “shave and a haircut” knock at the service door.
“That’s Abe Weinstein,” I said. “He called last evening to ask if he could bring Rebecca down about now.”
“He still seeing that widow in 1 C?”
I sighed and rose. “Daisy, I don’t know. It’s his business. I think he needs a break from Rebecca. You know how she’s in and out of lucidity.”
“I’ve seen Miz 1 C greet him at her door while I’m waiting for the elevator. Every hair in place, with a black dress on. She’s so glad to see him.”
“Shhh! Get another glass for Rebecca.” I opened the door. “Hello. Rebecca.”
I stood aside as Abe pushed the wheelchair in. Rebecca was nicely dressed but her hair lacked attention.
“Thank you, Lucy. Hi, Mrs. Van Horn.”
Daisy gave a noncommittal grunt as she brought a third glass to the table and poured wine into it.
Abe pushed Rebecca’s wheelchair to the table and looked down at her. “She’s in a sad mood today,” he said softly.
I smiled. “We’ll cheer her up. We’re having a party!”
“Just be a bit. An hour or so.”
Daisy snorted and called after him as he left. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” But he was already out the door.
She and I lifted our glasses. Rebecca stared at hers as if it were an unknown object. Daisy and I exchanged looks.
I said, “Rebecca, it’s wine. We’re having a party.”
“A party?”
“Yes, Rebecca.” Daisy gave Rebecca a smile and gestured at her glass. “Today is Lucy’s birthday. We’re toasting her.”
Rebecca returned the smile. “Your birthday?”
“No.” A gesture at me. “Lucy’s. Here’s to Lucy!”
