Read Online Last Night at the Blue Angel by Rebecca Rotert - Free Book Online Page A

he marry that woman? The blonde? Isn’t he married? Sister asks.
    Well , yes , there’s that. But I don’t think it’s working out , Mother says.
    Not working out? says Sister. Are we talking about a marriage? A sacrament?
    She’s so VERY dramatic , says Rita. You’d never know WE were the performers here .
    Rita and Mother try to hold back their laughter.
    Sister is not amused. Is he getting a divorce?
    It’s such an ugly word , says Mother.
    Because it’s an ugly thing , says Sister.
    Rita stands and I duck so she doesn’t see me but her arms are out to her sides like she has an announcement. That is not even the point .
    Darling , top me off , says Mother. While you’re up .
    Rita continues, If you ask my opinion , this man can only complicate things , given your history. It seems to me your methods are perfectly sound as they are right now .
    My methods? says Mother. Ice clinks in the glasses.
    You take a lover here , a lover there , as the need presents itself , and everyone is happy. No messy relations , no man to answer to. It seems to me an ideal arrangement , darling. Why dive in , hmm? Haven’t you already swum in this pool?
    But I like him , Mother says, her voice small. We’ve known each other so long .
    Are you already seeing him? asks Sister Eye. Is this whole . . . vulgar conversation moot?
    Mother looks embarrassed. Once .
    Don’t tell me , says Sister. He said , “I’ll come by later , or tomorrow ,” and you waited and waited and he never showed?
    It’s complicated , says Mother.
    Well, that is my point , says Rita. Right there. There you go. Off chasing the rabbit. I’m already bored with this conversation and we’ve only begun .
    Mother turns to Rita. Be happy for me .
    Your career needs your attention , darling. You are withering away at a low-level gig .
    The Blue Angel is famous! says Mother.
    Rita lowers herself into a chair. It WAS famous. Now it is a relic. You are performing there because at the moment , Big Doug lacks a better option .
    Mother gasps. What a terrible thing to say! I hear her snap, snap, snap the big glass lighter. Damn this thing .
    Sister says, I might add motherhood here if we’re discussing things that require your attention .
    Well, this afternoon is turning out to be a terrible disappointment , Mother says. I invited my girlfriends over for drinks , to have a little fun .
    And talk about boys? Rita says. Fix our nails and set our hair and talk about boys? Is that what you hoped for? So help me , Jesus . She stands and begins pouring another drink.
    Well , now I need one , too , says Sister.
    Rita nods at her. That’s the spirit .
    There is a fast rap on the door then and Jim lets himself in. I wave at him and put my finger to my mouth.
    I thought I was picking you up today , he says, blowing my cover.
    Mom did , I say, following him to the living room.
    I see that now. You need to communicate with me , he tells Mother. How do you do , Sister? Miss Rita .
    I’m so sorry , Jimmy , Mother says, walking to him.
    I was worried sick . I looked everywhere for her .
    I know , I know. I’m sure. I’m terrible. I’ve just been so distracted .
    Well, cut it out , he says.
    It won’t happen again . Don’t be mad at me , darling. You know I can’t bear it .
    There’s a new girl at school , I tell Jim. Her name is Elizabeth. She’s a Negro. The only one at the whole school!
    Well, it’s about time , he says, but he’s fixed on Mother, his face red.
    I think we’re going to be friends , I tell him.
    Now Jim is listening. He squats down on his haunches and looks at me. Good , he says. That’s just fine .
    Rita beckons him to the couch. Come join us , Jimmy . You’ve had such a trying day .
    Why the powwow? he asks, sitting next to Rita.
    Mother bustles to the cart. Let me make you a drink . She moves fast when she’s in the doghouse.
    I sit on the