They did not see it until the atomic
bombs burst in their fumbling hands.
--H. G. Wells, 1914
Mae had heard the news on the radio and TV, of course, and she was
pretty well prepared for what I had to tell her--that I was going off
into space with the world's big wheels. Naturally she didn't like
it, but for a reason I hadn't suspected. She told me about it in the
morning over my Pep and eggs.
"It seems to me, Sam, that you've been acting very peculiar ever since
you took this new job. And I don't just mean your worry about your new
responsibilities. I can understand that. What I don't understand is why
you've become so cool towards me."
"Why, honey!" I said, really surprised. "That's not so at all."
"Oh, isn't it! I get the impression that I'm being taken for granted;
that I'm supposed to be satisfied with a little pat on the head now
and again while you cavort around with your high and mighty new
friends. You never take me anywhere any more. Why? Is it because I'm so
ugly--so--so--misshapen?"
"Mae!" I was shocked. "Now you cut that right out!"
"Well, sometimes I wonder. Then there's that Linx girl. You never told
me about her--and you should have, if there's nothing to hide."
"For heaven's sake, Mae," I said. "Of course there's nothing to hide.
Why, you're _jealous_, aren't you?"
"Certainly I'm jealous. Is that so strange? It isn't as if you'd been
honest with me and said there was this girl, but that I'm prettier in
spite of my condition----"
"Now, Mae," I said. "You are prettier--and it's _because_ of your
condition. Who told you about Joy anyway? I'll bet it was that Ann
McEachern--she's jealous herself because I've got a good job and her
Ian's temporarily out of work. There's nothing about Joy, any more
than there is to tell about my three telephones. I never had three
telephones before, either."
"Well ..." Mae said. "If you're sure."
"Sure I'm sure. Now you just stop worrying your pretty head about
stupid nonsense like that and give me a kiss good-bye. I'll be back by
Sunday or Monday." I picked up my bag.
"All right," she said. "I'm sorry. I don't want you to go, but I know
you have to. And I feel better knowing _she_ won't be going, either."