The Crossroads by John D. MacDonald Read Free Book Online Page B

and said, “What kind of a breakfast is that?”
    “It’s brunch, sort of. Orange juice and a steak sandwich and a coffee shake.”
    The waitress hurried over and said, “Can I get you something, Mr. Drovek?”
    “Coffee, please, Sally. What time did you roll out of the sack, Nance?”
    “Elevenish. And now you ask me what time I got in. Five minutes of two. And now you give me a blast and shoot me into orbit.”
    “Pretty late, punkin.”
    “Well, the second movie wasn’t over until quarter after twelve. And then we ate down at the Haven, and then we took Jupe all the way in to Walterburg. Honest, I didn’t know it was getting so late.”
    “How does this most recent hero drive?”
    “Oh, he’s a real good driver! He’s very careful.”
    He studied her for a few moments. “Is that going to be the summer, punkin? Sack in ‘till noon and tear around all night?”
    She sucked at the coffee shake, frowning into the distance, and then said, “That’s what I want to talk to youabout, Dad. I know I’m supposed to be sixteen, but couldn’t you fix it so I could have a … regular kind of a job?”
    “Do you really want to work?”
    “Yes.”
    “This isn’t a whim? You won’t work a week and decide it’s a bad idea?”
    “I won’t goof, Dad. I’m not Uncle Pete.”
    “What makes you think Uncle Pete goofs?’
    “Oh, Dad! For heaven’s sake!”
    “All right, if you mean it, I can fix it. How about working for your Aunt Joan over in …”
    “No, thanks. I want to be a counter girl at the Haven.”
    “That’s hard work, honey. And it can get rough down there. You know that. It takes an older girl who …”
    “Dad, I know it’s hard work. Gosh, I’ve been in there often enough. But … well, they seem to have fun too. It’s what I want to do.”
    He grinned at her. “And they have cute uniforms?”
    “Will you let me?”
    “There’s one condition. I’ll make sure you don’t get any special treatment.”
    “I wouldn’t want that.”
    “And the condition is that you stick it the whole summer. Right up to August. That will give you a little break to rest up and get ready to go away to school. You won’t come moaning about being on your feet all day. You’ll stick it out.”
    “Shake, boss!”
    He shook her firm young hand. “You asked for it, punkin. You’ll go on the eight to four shift. You’ll be setting your alarm for seven. That’ll put a crimp in your night life. You’re sure, now?”
    “I’ve thought it over. I’m sure as sure, Dad.”
    “You’ll start Monday. I’ll fix it up. Don’t you let me down, punkin. Report at eight. They’ll know you’re coming. Now how about going with Joan tomorrow to see your grandfather? You haven’t been to see him in a long time.”
    “There’s a picnic tomorrow. We’re all going swimming, a whole mess of us. Four cars.”
    “He asked me about you this morning.”
    “I know I should … Say, I could go up there right now. How about grounding yourself and letting me have the red bug?”
    “You be careful.”
    “I’ll be real careful.”
    “No joy rides. Ride up there and ride back and leave it in front of the office.”
    A few minutes later he stood out in front of the restaurant, watching her. He saw her get across the highway in a safe and conservative way, and disappear beyond the bowladrome. A few minutes later she reappeared, a busy little red dot, trailing a spume of dust, halfway up the long hill. He walked slowly to the office, a big sandy man with a thoughtful look on his hard-boned face, his eyes on the ground.

THREE
    Sylvia Drovek awoke a few minutes after noon, drifting reluctantly, heavily upward out of the protective layers of sleep. Finally she opened her eyes, her very dark eyes with the long black curling lashes. She was aware of a little area of dread in her mind, but she was not anxious to identify it, or to face the day. The room air conditioner hummed. Sun came in around the blinds in narrow