Page 5 - Contrast1958Springv2n2

She unlocked the door and deposited her papers in the "luggage
well" behind the seat. She got in carefully so as not to wrinkle her
coat. This was the best time of the day for Sheila. Ten minutes drive
brought her to the school where Dougie was enrolled. He would be
waiting for her at the gate, dressed in the required military gray. His
hat would be in his hands and his books would be by his feet. His
face would light up when he heard the sound of her motor.

"Hi, Mom." She was still a good fifty yards from him, but she
could hear his yell. His small freckled face was creased in grins.

Sheila guided the car to a careful stop beside Dougie. He threw
himself at her, hugging her wildly. "You're late, Mom," he said, look-
ing at the watch she had given him the previous week for his tenth
birthday. "It's 4:30. I was afraid you had an accident." Tears threat-
ened to drop from his thickly-lashed eyes.

Sheila held him to her, prolonging the moment. "I'm sorry, Love.
I got held up." She gave him another hug, then pushed him away
playfully. "Corne on, pick up your books and let's go. You know how
Douglas growls if supper isn't on time."

Dougie skipped back and picked up the books then ran to the
other side of the car. He opened the door and hopped in. "Let him
growl," he said, slamming the door for emphasis.

"Easy there," Sheila cautioned. "Don't take it out on my car be-
cause your father is so bad-tempered. It had nothing to do with him."

Dougie became all remorse. "Sorry, Mom. I didn't think." He
held up his left ann. "Look, Mom. See how pretty the watch looks."
The expensive watch gleamed incongruously on his skinny, freckled
arm.

Sheila glanced at him. "It surely does. Are you being very care-
ful of it to prove to Mommie you're big enough to have a watch? Re-
member Daddy said you weren't."

Dougie grinned up at her. "Yeah, I know. But he doesn't know
anything," he said, polishing the crystal 011 his uniform sleeve. "I'm
real careful. This watch won't ever get broken." He beamed with
pride. "None of the other fellows have a watch this good."

A pleased smile crossed Sheila's face. "Of course not," she replied.
"And none of the other fellows have a mother who loves them as much
as I do you."

Dougie patted the watch. "Sure, Mommie, I know that." With
the changeability of the young boy, he added, "Let's have chocolate
ice cream for dessert tonight. I feel like that."

"Then you shall have it, my fair young prince," Sheila laughingly

3