it. We'll come by about six-thirty, okay. Bob
says the auditorium will be packed tonight. Everyone knows there's a
new coach on board and the school we're playing is something of a rival.
Fine. I'll be ready, Jessie said, and hung up the phone. She spent the
rest of the day working on a new short story. She spoke with Lee twice,
and each time she could hear the excitement building in his voice.
Just about everyone from the custodians to cafeteria staff to faculty
has come around to wish me good luck, he said. It's nice how everyone
gets involved. I guess working in a small school system does have its
advantages.
They had already decided Lee would get a quick bite near the school
because he didn't have all that much time between the end of the school
day and the start of the game. As head coach, he had to see about the
referees for the junior and senior varsity games, be sure the score
clock was set up, and arrange for the sale of tickets.
Jessie wished him good luck. She was happy that he was so involved and
apparently taking to the new job.
Just after she had sat down to eat something herself, the phone rang. It
was Dr. Beezly.
I thought Lee might still be home, he said. I wanted to wish him good
luck.
That's very nice of you, she said. I'll tell him when I get to the
school.
Actually, the doctor went on, I'm glad I have you on the phone. I don't
mean to be presumptuous, but I would like to repeat my willingness to
examine your eyes. Sometimes a loss of sight is caused by an injury
that involves a swelling, and when that swelling recedes- Yes, I know
about that, Doctor. We were told not to be optimistic in that regard,
she said.
Well, it's always easy to be pessimistic. We have a natural tendency to
look on the dark side, and understandably so. There' s so much to make
us unhappy in today's world. You don't have to come to my office, he
said. I'll come to you.
That's very kind of you, but- Let me call you in a day or so and see if
we can coordinate time and day, okay?
She thought for a moment. Something made her hesitate
. She certainly had no hope he would be able to succeed where other
doctors hadn't, but she felt awkward about refusing such a kindness.
All right, she relented. Thank you.
A half hour later the Bakers arrived. Both complimented her on how she
looked.
Actually, with your hair in that ponytail and that sweater and skirt,
you look more like one of the high school students than the wife of the
coach, Bob said.
Thank you.
I'm starting to get jealous, Tracy said. He doesn't compliment me as
much.
Now, honey, you know how I feel about you, Bob said.
Taking me for granted, Tracy muttered. Just like a man. She laughed,
then scooped her arm through Jessie's and they left the apartment.
Maybe we should see if old man Carter wants to go, Bob jested.
I haven't heard him all day, Jessie said. I wonder if he's all right.
But who would know? He doesn't seem to have any visitors other than . .
Than whom? Tracy asked as they neared toward the car.
Nobody actually. I mean, I hear footsteps other than his sometimes, or
what sounds like footsteps. Maybe it's just him sweeping the floor,
Jessie quickly concluded.
Sweeping the floor? What sort of footsteps sound like sweeping? Bob
asked.
I don't know. It's . . . my imagination, I suppose, Jessie said. She
felt the Bakers hesitate.
Then, simultaneously, they said, We'd better find you guys a new place
to live very soon.
As soon as they arrived at the school, Bob commented on the size of the
crowd.
The parking lot is jammed, he said. They're putting cars on the lawns.
Does Lee get very nervous? Tracy asked.
He hides it well, but he's nervous, Jessie replied.
Bob let them out by the entrance and went off to find a space. From the
roar of the audience and the sounds of people all around them,
says the auditorium will be packed tonight. Everyone knows there's a
new coach on board and the school we're playing is something of a rival.
Fine. I'll be ready, Jessie said, and hung up the phone. She spent the
rest of the day working on a new short story. She spoke with Lee twice,
and each time she could hear the excitement building in his voice.
Just about everyone from the custodians to cafeteria staff to faculty
has come around to wish me good luck, he said. It's nice how everyone
gets involved. I guess working in a small school system does have its
advantages.
They had already decided Lee would get a quick bite near the school
because he didn't have all that much time between the end of the school
day and the start of the game. As head coach, he had to see about the
referees for the junior and senior varsity games, be sure the score
clock was set up, and arrange for the sale of tickets.
Jessie wished him good luck. She was happy that he was so involved and
apparently taking to the new job.
Just after she had sat down to eat something herself, the phone rang. It
was Dr. Beezly.
I thought Lee might still be home, he said. I wanted to wish him good
luck.
That's very nice of you, she said. I'll tell him when I get to the
school.
Actually, the doctor went on, I'm glad I have you on the phone. I don't
mean to be presumptuous, but I would like to repeat my willingness to
examine your eyes. Sometimes a loss of sight is caused by an injury
that involves a swelling, and when that swelling recedes- Yes, I know
about that, Doctor. We were told not to be optimistic in that regard,
she said.
Well, it's always easy to be pessimistic. We have a natural tendency to
look on the dark side, and understandably so. There' s so much to make
us unhappy in today's world. You don't have to come to my office, he
said. I'll come to you.
That's very kind of you, but- Let me call you in a day or so and see if
we can coordinate time and day, okay?
She thought for a moment. Something made her hesitate
. She certainly had no hope he would be able to succeed where other
doctors hadn't, but she felt awkward about refusing such a kindness.
All right, she relented. Thank you.
A half hour later the Bakers arrived. Both complimented her on how she
looked.
Actually, with your hair in that ponytail and that sweater and skirt,
you look more like one of the high school students than the wife of the
coach, Bob said.
Thank you.
I'm starting to get jealous, Tracy said. He doesn't compliment me as
much.
Now, honey, you know how I feel about you, Bob said.
Taking me for granted, Tracy muttered. Just like a man. She laughed,
then scooped her arm through Jessie's and they left the apartment.
Maybe we should see if old man Carter wants to go, Bob jested.
I haven't heard him all day, Jessie said. I wonder if he's all right.
But who would know? He doesn't seem to have any visitors other than . .
Than whom? Tracy asked as they neared toward the car.
Nobody actually. I mean, I hear footsteps other than his sometimes, or
what sounds like footsteps. Maybe it's just him sweeping the floor,
Jessie quickly concluded.
Sweeping the floor? What sort of footsteps sound like sweeping? Bob
asked.
I don't know. It's . . . my imagination, I suppose, Jessie said. She
felt the Bakers hesitate.
Then, simultaneously, they said, We'd better find you guys a new place
to live very soon.
As soon as they arrived at the school, Bob commented on the size of the
crowd.
The parking lot is jammed, he said. They're putting cars on the lawns.
Does Lee get very nervous? Tracy asked.
He hides it well, but he's nervous, Jessie replied.
Bob let them out by the entrance and went off to find a space. From the
roar of the audience and the sounds of people all around them,
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