“Did he have his pants down?” Ben said.
They had another laugh. This time Poldaski didn’t join in the laugh. However, he finally grinned a little bit.
“He had it out, right out,” He said, with that grin on his face.
“What color is it, John Boy? No shit—Cherry red?”
Another long laugh.
“Red-hot cherry red,” Poldaski said, at last.
“Is that what you grabbed him by, John?” Ray Shuddick said.
That brought a big laugh.
“You fuckin’ guys,” Poldaski said, good-humoredly.
“How’s the wife?” Ben said.
“Pain in the ass.”
“Hey—know those jig school gals? Know what? No shit, some ain’t bad—” Joe said.
“Aw Christ—you’d lay them, huh?” The Chief said.
“Hell Yes!” Joe said.
Another laugh.
“He’d lav anything.” Roy said.
“They ain’t bad!”
Joe sank his shot, as they laughed.
The Chief was having a good time, and without a doubt, He always did—up here. He would hang around probably until the place closed—around midnight. And then he would probably hit Selmo’s for a few brews and a plateful of that ravioli. Yeh. His mouth watered even now, thinking of it. Who the hell in the whole world made ravioli like that? He knew, no one. . . . Unless something came up. What could? What now the hell could? He knew nothing would. Another burst of laughter, from the boys at a table nearby, hit his ears. He grinned, feeling good. . . .
After getting home from Practice and giving Looby Loo a big kiss and a hug, Tiger had supper with his one and own. It was just great, as usual. She was some cook. Then, after that delicious meal, and some small talk, including of course the whole thing and Jim Green, and another hug and kiss, he never could get enough of her, Tiger went upstairs to give Jane a little help with her homework. Often he did. She had a lot of names and dates to memorize for History, her favorite subject, she had straight A’s in it, and she wanted her dad to see if he could help her get them down pat. He liked helping her with her homework. She was a cutie of a kid if ever there was one, it sure was fun being with her. You never could tell what she would come out with next. The things she came out with really made him laugh. He didn’t see much of her during the school year, especially during football season, of course, and he was always glad when the weekends rolled around. Her cute face was a lot like Looby Loo’s, though to tell the truth she had her daddy's eyes, and they were nice eyes, too. He was very fond of his little girl, he loved her to the point of almost spoiling her, he knew—which was something he didn’t want to do.
“And on what day was the Constitution actually signed?” he asked, looking at his little hon.
She tossed her long blond hair, what a girl, she gave a little pout.
“Wednesday?” She said.
“Just the date,” Tiger said.
“Did you and Mom used to date?”
Now why had she said that? What a playful little trick— “Did you? Hmmmmm? Daddy—Hmmmmm?” She asked.
“Ask Mom.”
Pretty Maids All in a Row 277 “You mean Mother, don’t you?”
Recently, she had decided it was best to address her mother in that way. She was growing up, she had said. Tiger didn’t mind. He understood little girls. He grinned. She was really the cutest thing. She loved her daddy so much.
“That’s what I mean,” he said.
“Well why didn’t you say so?” she asked. “Know what we did in school today? Want to know?" She also asked.
“And what did you do?” He said, knowing that’s what he had to say.
“I’m not going to tell you.” she said.
“Was it bad?”
“Oh, no—I’d tell you if it was bad!” r,Were bad,” Tiger corrected, fondly.
“Is it, Daddy? I never can get that—”
And there she was, kidding him around again.
“I can’t wait to get to high school, Dad.”
“Will I be in any of your classes, Daddy?”
“I think you will.”
“Which ones? Oh which ones, Daddy? Will you give me all A’s?” She was excited. He saw her warm face, all pink with excitement now. Her PJ’s were the cutest things. Pink and frilly, very sweet. She was a feminine thing. A copy of her mother’s really, come to think—though she usually wore nighties to bed. Her body was all warm under those PJ’s. He knew. He smiled fondly at her.
“Didn’t I tell you once? And you’ll have to work for your A’s.”
“Oh I forgot—Daddy, tell me again!”
He did just that.
“I hope I pass them!”
“I think you will.”
She gazed at him.
“How was Practice, Daddy?” She said, warmly.
“Very good.” And it had been.
“I want to be a cheerleader!” She suddenly said, her eyes sparkling at him, “When I get to high school—oh, Daddy, I want to be!”
He smiled again, “Well, if you try hard enough, I’m sure you can—” And she would make the prettiest cheerleader. He knew.
“Sometimes though I think I’d like to try for Majorette —” She said, frowning a little bit, still gazing at him.
“Well, you have some time to decide,” he said.
“And what happened to Jill Fairbunn, Daddy?” Now she asked.
He sighed. He said, “She died, Jane.” He always told her the truth.
“She was murdered, wasn’t she Daddy?” His little girl asked.
Again he sighed, reflecting that no doubt Looby Loo had already handled these queries, sad as they were, and painful too.
“That’s what they say,” he nevertheless said quietly.
“It’s horrible, it’s awful, isn’t it, Daddy?”
“It is.” He said.
“I hope no one murders me!” And she meant that
“We all hope that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, nobody wants to be murdered, little hon.”
“I know they don’t”
He smiled at her, she fell into his arms, wanting a hug. He gave her a hug. Her body felt so good and warm and young. He felt good. She snuggled up on his lap. She had always loved sitting on his lap. She was growing up. She would have a lovely form. He caressed her and gave her a little kiss. She kissed him. He was crazy about her.
“I love you so much,” she said to him, blushing again.
She wrinkled up that nose.
“Oh Daddy! Spoil Sport—”
He chuckled at her, eased her off his lap, giving her warm, cute bottom a little smack. She had a full life before her.
“Come on—let’s go—” He said to her now, picking up the books again.
She sat on her bed, knees drawn up, her arms resting on them. Her cute face was turned toward him. She waited for the questions to begin. . . .
After the homework session with his Janie, Tiger tucked her in and went downstairs to Looby Loo. He found her, and their cute little cat Sheba, in the kitchen. He played for a few minutes with that playful cat, that little orange cutie, only ten months old, a kitten really, then helped Looby Loo with the dishes. What he did was dry the knives, and forks, and spoons, and similar things, and put them away. He had offered to buy her a dishwashing machine once, but she didn't want one. She was funny that way. He liked drying those things for her. They chatted about this and that. Then he went into the parlor and sat down in one of the comfortable chairs. The small sofa, actually, just big enough for two. Their love seat. Tiger had a nice, spacious parlor, actually very tastefully arranged and furnished—by Looby Loo, of course. He had just switched on the TV when she walked in and sat on the sofa with him. They held hands. She gave him a few little kisses. Tiger gave her a real kiss and knew she was in the mood. She was nice and warm. How he loved her. She cuddled up to him, the TV came on. Ads about soup. Then, Lucy. It was one of their favorite shows. That girl was really a card, she made them laugh and laugh. Sometimes, she made them roar. They liked Quincey Mayhew too, and Jack Benny to boot. But Lucy flew.