Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love with you...
Again we sang it, and again. The third time around I put up my hand.
Where were you? I bawled.
Where was I? said Mona. Why, right here.
And our date?
I didn't think you were serious.
You didn't? With that I gave her a sound slap in the puss. A real clout.
Next time, my lady, I'll drag you there by the tail.
I sat down at the gut table and took a good look at them. My anger fell away.
I didn't mean to hit you so hard, said I, removing my hat. You're unusually gay this evening. What's happened?
They took me by the arm and escorted me to the rear of the place, where the laundry tubs used to stand.
That's what, said Mona, pointing to a pile of groceries. I had to be here when they arrived. There was no way to let you know in time. That's why I didn't meet you.
She dove into the pile and extracted a bottle of Benedictine. Stasia had already selected some black caviar and biscuits.
I didn't bother to ask how they had come by the loot. That would leak out of itself, later.
Isn't there any wine? I asked.
Wine? Of course there was. What would I like—Bordeaux, Rhine wine, Moselle, Chianti, Burgundy ... ?
We opened a bottle of Rhine wine, a jar of lachs, and a tin of English biscuits—the finest. Resumed our places around the gut table.
Stasia's pregnant, said Mona. Like she might have said—Stasia's got a new dress.
Is that what you were celebrating?
Of course not.
I turned to Stasia. Tell us about it, I said, I'm all ears.
She turned red and looked helplessly at Mona. Let her tell you, she said.
I turned to Mona. Well?
It's a long story, Val, but I'll make it short. She was attacked by a bunch of gangsters in the Village. They raped her.
They? How many?
Four, said Mona. Do you remember the night we didn't come home? That was the night.
Then you don't know who the father is?
The father is, they echoed. We're not worrying about the father.
I'd be glad to take care of the brat, said I. All I need to learn is how to produce milk.
We've spoken to Kronski, said Mona. He's promised to take care of things. But first he wants to examine her.
Again?
He's got to be certain.
Are you certain?
Stasia is. She's stopped menstruating.
That means nothing, said I. You've got to have better evidence than that.
Stasia now spoke up. My breasts are getting heavy. She unbuttoned her blouse and took one out. See! She squeezed it gently. A drop or two of what looked like yellow pus appeared. That's milk, she said.
How do you know?
I tasted it.
I asked Mona to squeeze her breasts and see what would happen, but she refused. Said it was embarrassing.
Embarrassing? You sit with your legs crossed and show us everything you've got, but you won't take your boobies out. That's not embarrassing, that's perverse.
Stasia burst out laughing. It's true, she said. What's wrong with showing us your breasts?
You're the one who's pregnant, not I, said Mona.
When is Kronski coming?
To-morrow.
