My Library

Arriving at Lucille’s building, I paid the taxi off -- and had $2.50 left. And I knew I had to take HER home in another taxi. The three doormen at Lucille’s apartment building took one look at WHO was coming through the door -- and virtually bowed down at her passing, not one word being exchanged. I followed up the rear with the tonnage of the two bags. So we got into the elevator -- and Swanson saw the two bottles I was still HOLDING. "WHAT ARE you doing with THOSE?" "Well, you asked me to hold them back at the theater." "Oh, JESUS CHRIST. Give them to me." She put them in one of the tonnage bags. "I hope YOU KNOW WHICH APARTMENT we’re going to." "Yes, I know the way." "Isn’t it this WAY?" she asked. "No, Ma’am, it’s THIS WAY." Lucille was a bit slow coming to the door. "JESUS," SHE said. "ARE YOU SURE this is the right apartment??" The door opened, and the two girls fell into each other’s arms, and Lucille then closed it -with ME still outside of it. In NY apartment buildings, doors LOCK when they close. I waited -- and waited -- and finally had to ring the bell AGAIN. Now there were drinks. Swanson didn’t DRINK. I DID. Lucille DID. We sat and chatted. Lucille began telling HER about me. I sat and listened. Then we moved to the table. I seated Swanson, sat myself, and picked up the pink napkin. Lucille began bitching about the trouble she had gone through to get all the special and EXPENSIVE foods Gloria would like.