Schmidt Delivered by Louis Begley

Author:Louis Begley [Begley, Louis]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-307-75773-9
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2010-11-30T16:00:00+00:00

The Polish ladies had left in a profusion of farewells. Schmidt licked the last envelope. As usual, he hadn’t enough stamps. The rain had stopped. If he was going to the post office, shouldn’t he have a bite at the counter of the candy store? Sit down between two sets of grandfathers and grandmothers feeding kids in jodhpurs their grilled-cheese sandwiches and chocolate milk shakes? He didn’t think he could bear that. The checks could be mailed the next day or the day after or next week for all he cared. At the rate Charlotte’s life was falling apart, there would never be a grandchild for him to take to lunch. Sardines and bourbon in the kitchen were going to be just fine, and then a nap until just before Carrie returned. He wasn’t going to sleep all that hard. If Charlotte called, she wouldn’t realize that she had awakened him. He was still working on his second drink when the telephone rang. Two-thirty. She was at the office, unless she had quit her job or simply not gone to work. Pray God she hadn’t rushed into anything foolish. He picked up the receiver and said, I’ve been waiting for you.

This was the wrong way to begin the conversation, he realized immediately, but he hadn’t intended any sort of reproach. Fortunately, she didn’t take it too hard.

Gosh Dad, I don’t think I said what time I’d call.

I know, I know. It’s perfectly all right. We’ve had rain, so I’ve been hanging around the house, that’s all. How are you?

How do you suppose? Rotten. I go to the office this morning and he gets into the elevator with me. He had the nerve to kiss me. I almost hauled off and punched him.

I’m glad you didn’t. Will you be here on Friday? I’m all excited about it.

Dad, I don’t think so. Something’s come up. Renata wants to see me. She and Myron are on vacation in Claverack, so she’s coming into the city specially. I guess it’s important.

Oh.

Why it was important for Charlotte to see the mother of the husband she was in the process of divorcing, more important in any event than to see her own father, was not immediately clear to Schmidt, but he didn’t think he would gain much by asking. Realizing once more how little he knew, he ventured, Come to think of it, where are you staying? I suppose you’re no longer in Mr. Polk’s apartment?

Are you kidding? I got out of there the day he told me the great news.

To where, sweetie? I don’t believe you’ve told me.

I’m staying with a girl who works here. Marcia Schwartz. You don’t know her.

I see. Not in your own apartment.

Dad, are you kidding? Jon’s living in it.

Goodness, he said. I take it then you haven’t agreed on the financial settlement, and so forth. But the lawyers are working on it?

We haven’t gotten anywhere. I don’t want alimony from Jon or stuff like that, so that’s no problem, but

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