“Yes, but that doesn’t mean they’ll lend one to
us,” Renie said, still fuming.
“Nobody’s going out in this snow anyway,” Judith said, eyeing the young orderly, who had advanced into their room to mop the floor for the
second time that day.
“That’s not the point,” Renie snapped. “Poor
Cammy’s out there in this blizzard, shivering and
sobbing. Her little engine is probably freezing up.”
“Don’t you and Bill have antifreeze in the radiator?” Judith inquired.
“What?” Renie scowled. “Of course. It comes
with the car these days. I meant metaphorically
speaking.”
“So Joe reported the car as stolen?” Judith asked,
putting the dinner tray aside and smiling at the orderly as he made his exit.
SUTURE SELF
119
Looking glum, Renie nodded. “Stolen cars won’t be
a high priority for a while. I’m sure there are too many
accidents out there right now.”
“Cheer up, coz,” Judith said, still not surrendering in
her efforts to make Renie feel better. “Nobody’s taking
your car anywhere in this storm. I guess I’ll bite the
bullet and call Mother.”
“Go for it,” Renie muttered, sinking back onto the
pillows.
Predictably, Gertrude answered on the eleventh ring.
“Well,” she said in a deceptively affable voice, “so you
pulled through. How come you didn’t let your poor old
mother know before this?”
“Joe told you I was okay,” Judith replied. “I’m sure
that Carl and Arlene mentioned it, too. Besides, you
hate to talk on the phone.”
Gertrude bridled. “I do? Says who?”
“Mother, you’ve always hated to talk on the phone,”
Judith said patiently. “How are you getting along?”
“Good,” Gertrude said. “I just had supper. Liver and
onions. Arlene makes the best. And she gets it to me on
time, straight-up five o’clock. That’s when supper
ought to be served. Who cares about late meals and
being fashionable?”
Judith glanced at her watch. It was a few minutes
after six. Usually, Judith wasn’t able to deliver her
mother’s dinner until almost six-thirty. The timing
had nothing to do with fashion, and everything to do
with Judith’s busy late afternoons, greeting guests
and preparing for the social hour. “Arlene’s very
thoughtful,” Judith allowed. “What are you doing
right now?”
“Making a family tree,” Gertrude said. “Mike called.
He wants to see who all’s hanging on it for Little
