festooned the bathroom before he could draw himself a bath. He filled
it to the overflow, and as he settled into it the front door burst open
and Mitzi came in like the north wind.
Where are you, warrior? She was banging the doors. I saw your car in
the garage, so I know you're hereV In here, doll, he called, and she
stood in the doorway and they grinned at each other. She had put on
weight again, he saw, straining the seam of her skirt, and her bosom was
bulky and amorphous under the scarlet sweater. She had finally given up
her struggle with myopia and the metal-framed spectacles sat on the end
of her little nose, while her hair fuzzed out at unexpected angles.
You're beautiful, she cried, coming to kiss him and getting soap down
her sweater as she hugged him.
Drink or coffee? she asked, and David winced at the thought of alcohol.
Coffee will be great, doll She brought it to him in a mug, then perched
on the toilet seat.
Tell all! she commanded and while they chatted the pretty dark-haired
girl wandered in, still in her pyjamas and bug-eyed from sleep.
This is my coz, David. Isn't he beautiful? Mitzi introduced them.
And this is Liz. The girl sat on the dirty linen basket in the corner
and fixed David with such an awed and penetrating gaze that Mitzi warned
her, Cool it, darling. Even from here I can hear your ovaries bouncing
around like ping-pong balls. But she was such a silent, ethereal little
thing that they soon forgot her and talked as if they were alone. It
was Mitzi who said suddenly, without preliminaries, Papa is waiting for
you, licking his lips like an ivyleague ogre. I ate with them Saturday
night, he must have brought your name up one zillion times. It's going
to be strange to have you sitting up there on Top Floor, in a charcoal
suit, being bright at Monday morning conference - David stood up
suddenly in the bath, cascading suds and steaming water, and began
soaping his crotch vigorously . They watched him with interest, the
dark-haired girl's eyes widening until they seemed to fill her face.
David sat down again, slopping water over the edge.
I'm not going! he said, and there was a long heavy silence.
What you mean, you're not going? Mitzi asked timorously.
Just that, said David. I'm not going to Morgan Group. 'But you have
toVWhy? asked David.
Well, I mean it's decided, you promised Daddy that when you finished
with the airforce. No, David said, I made no promise. He just took it.
When you said a moment ago, being bright at Monday morning conference, I
knew I couldn't do it. I guess I've known all along. What you going to
do, then? Mitzi had recovered from the first shock, and her plump
cheeks were tinged pink with excitement.
I don't know. I just know I am not going to be a caretaker for other
men's achievements. Morgan Group isn't me. It's something that Gramps,
and Dad and Uncle Paul made. It's too big and cold - Mitzi was flushed,
bright-eyed, nodding her agreement, enchanted by this prospect of
rebellion and open defiance.
David was warming to it also. I'll find my own road to go. There's
more to it. There has to be something more than this. Yes, Mitzi
nodded so that she almost shook her spectacles from her nose. You're
