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“Well,” I said, “I say we grab the paper and soels down at Murray’s, then hop a Two train down to MoMA for the latest installation Afterward, we could go to John’s on Bleecker for lunch I’elato for dessert No, e could go to Carnegie for a Bible-thick pastrami sandwich It’s like butta”

Mary Catherine shook her head at me

“MoMA?” she said “Really?”

“Sure, why not? You’re not the only one interested in culture around here”

“You never went to MoMA in your life You told me yourself you hatethe kids on the subway It’s soApple as well, but don’t you think you’re laying it on a tad thick? Why do you continue to torture yourself?”

I gestured out at the endless space and sky all around us

“Isn’t it obvious?” I said “There’s nothing else to do”

“That’s it,” , as Mr Cody likes to say You’re co No more excuses”

“No, that’s OK,” I said when I realized where she wanted o over today’s lesson plan”

Due to the truly insane circumstances, we had decided to holish and history, Mary Catherine thesurprise—tackled religion I had never taught before, and I was actually getting into it I wasn’t s there

“Nonsense, Mike You don’t think I know you have your lessons planned at least teeks ahead? You need to give in to it, Mike I know you don’t like being here on a fariven it a chance When in Rome, you have to do as the Romans do”

“I would if ere in Rome, Mary Catherine,” I said “The Romans have pizza”

“No excuses Now, you can warm up the cars or wake the kids Your choice”

“The cars, I guess,” I mumbled as she turned to head back inside “If I have to”

“You have to,”toward the shed at the side of the house as she creaked open the screen door