Page 6 - Contrast1958Springv2n2

replied, starting the motor. "Just you and I-because your father
doesn't like it." She threaded the car through the increasing traffic.

"Daddy doesn't like much," Dougie ventured. He paused, think-
ing, then turned wide eyes to her. "Wouldn't it be great if we didn't
have to go home? Wouldn't it be nice if you and I had a house all to
ourselves." He settled back in the seat and opened and slammed shut a
text book. "But I guess that'll never happen. I guess we'll just have
to go on living with Daddy." He sighed. "It might not be so bad if he
weren't mad all the time."

Sheila removed one hand from the steering wheel to pat Dougie's
knee. "That's just your father's way, Dougie," she said softly. "The
best thing we can do is to ignore him."

Dougie snuggled up close to her. "Anyway, I don't care. I have
such a good mommy that I don't need a daddy at all." He shut his
eyes, still leaning against her.

Sheila took his hand in hers. "Right, Love," she agreed. "You
stick by your mother."

Their house was in sight-a comfortable modern bungalow situ-
ated in one of the "better" sections of town. Sheila puIled the car into
the large double garage and parked it next to Douglas's Buick. She
felt a momentary twinge of regret that she had not gotten a larger car.
Douglas's dwarfed hers. Sheila reached back to get the test papers and
got out. She surveyed the two cars, deciding finally that hers had
more style.

"C'mon, Mom," Dougie tugged at her arm. "Let's go inside." He
glanced at his watch. "It's twenty minutes to five," he stated-proud
of his ability to tell time.

"Stop it, Dougie," she said impatiently as some of the test papers
fluttered to the cement floor. "Look what you've done. Pick them up."

Dougie stooped slowly, obediently. "Here, Mom," he said, hand-
ing her the papers. "I'm sorry." His face reflected hurt and his lower
lip quivered. He ran from the garage.

Sheila ran after him. Papers, pocketbook-all were dropped heed-
lessly as she stooped to enfold him in her arms. "Darling, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean it, Sweetheart," she murmured smoothing his hair and
holding him closely.

The side door of the house opened. Standing in the doorway was
a handsome middle-aged man-tall and well-dressed. He stood erectly,
but his face mirrored weariness. "Sheila," he called. "When are you
going to stop babying the boy. Let him go."

Shelia released Dougie automatically, and stood up, eyes flashing.

4