Ithoughtandsaid “No” butitwasn’, 4, 9, GROC, TOT — it’smorecomplicatedthanyouthink, andafteryoudoitoftenenough, itbeginstomakealittlesong, thatyouhearwordsto, inmycase “Hello (bing) there, you (gung) hap-pypee-pul (splat)” — , tenderlyasyoumayimagine, itjusthavingcomefrombetweenthetwosmoothestscoopsofvanillaIhadeverknownwerethere, andpassahalfandapennyintohernarrowpinkpalm, andnestletheherringsinabagandtwistitsneckandhanditover, allthetimethinking.
Thegirls, andwho’dblamethem, areinahurrytogetout, soIsay “Iquit” toLengelquickenoughforthemtohear, hopingthey’llstopandwatchme, , intotheelectriceye; thedoorfliesopenandtheyflickeracrossthelottotheircar, QueenieandPlaidandBigTallGoony-Goony (notthatasrawmaterialshewassobad), leavingmewithLengelandakinkinhiseyebrow.
“Didyousaysomething, Sammy?”
“IsaidIquit.”
“Ithoughtyoudid.”
“Youdidn’thavetoembarrassthem.”
“Itwastheywhowereembarrassingus.”
Istartedtosaysomethingthatcameout “Fiddle-de-doo.” It’sasayingofmygrandmother’s, andIknowshewouldhavebeenpleased.
“Idon’tthinkyouknowwhatyou’resaying,” Lengelsaid.
“Iknowyoudon’t,” Isaid.“ButIdo.” , likescaredpigsinachute.
