Come Back, Little Sheba Page #2

You looked so nice standing up there

in front of all those people.

- This too much air?

- Fine.

I'm too tired to wash my face tonight.

Did you?

She must spend a fortune

on bath powders and salts.

That bathroom smells like a lilac factory.

Oh, yeah. I like it.

I dreamt about Little Sheba again

last night, Doc.

- You did?

- Yes.

It was just as real.

I put her on a leash to take her

downtown to do some shopping.

Everybody on the street

turned around to look at her.

I was so proud.

Then we started to walk.

And the blocks started going by so fast,

poor Little Sheba

couldn't keep up with me.

Suddenly, I looked around

and she was gone.

Ain't that funny?

I looked everywhere for her,

but I couldn't find her.

I stood there, feeling kind of afraid.

Do you suppose that means anything?

- Daddy? Are you asleep?

- Dreams are funny.

Do you suppose it means

Little Sheba's gonna come back?

I don't know, baby.

I miss her so.

She was such a cute little puppy.

- Wasn't she cute?

- Yes, she was cute.

Remember how white and fluffy

she used to be after I gave her a bath?

And how her little hind end wagged

from side to side when she walked?

I remember.

I just hated to see her grow old.

Little Sheba should have

stayed young forever.

Some things should never grow old.

That's what it amounts to, I guess.

- Hi!

- Hello! How's our star boarder today?

- Want your breakfast?

- Just fruit juice.

You look lovelier than a spring garden.

You sure you wouldn't like a roll?

I got to get to the library, check out

some special books before anyone else.

You want to study hard, be a fine artist

someday. Paint beautiful pictures.

I remember a picture my mother had

over the mantelpiece.

A picture of a cathedral in a sunset.

It made you feel religious

just to look at it.

These books are for biology.

I have an exam.

- That enough?

- Fine.

See you later.

- Morning, honey.

- Morning, dear.

I can't sleep late like I used to.

I used to be able to sleep

till noon if I wanted to.

- I can't any more, I don't know why.

- Habits change.

Maybe it's the spring. Everything else

is stirring, why shouldn't you?

I should be getting your breakfast,

but you're getting mine.

- Did you say your prayer?

- Yes, baby.

Did you ask God to be with you

and keep you strong?

- Yes, baby.

- Then God'll be with you, Doccy.

Say your prayer for me, Daddy.

I love to hear it.

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change,

courage to change the things I can, and

wisdom always to know the difference.

That's so nice. That's so pretty.

When I think of the way

you used to be, Daddy,

always drinking and getting into fights.

I was always so scared.

I never knew what was gonna happen.

I don't know what I'd have done

without you.

I'm so proud of you.

You been sober over a year.

- Mr Cruthers is coming to the office.

- Oh, he said he never would.

It goes to show you

people are nicer than you think.

- They always give you another chance.

- Oh, sure.

Maybe... maybe you could take me

to a movie tonight?

- I have to do some Twelfth Step work.

- Again?

It's important. You help yourself

by helping other alcoholics.

Alcoholics are mostly disappointed men.

Oh. Sure, I know.

You wasn't ever disappointed,

were you, Doc?

The thing is not to dwell on the past,

to live each day as it comes,

and stay sober doing it.

- Who are you gonna help tonight?

- Some fellow they found on skid row.

He's down at the city hospital.

I kind of dread it.

You said it helped you.

It does if you can stand it.

I did some Twelfth Step work

there myself once before.

They put the alcoholics

in with the crazy people.

Horrible.

These men, all twisted and shaking.

Eyes all foggy and full of pain.

One fellow had his hands clamped

together so he wouldn't kill anyone.

There was a young man,

scratched his eyes out.

Oh, don't, Daddy.

It's awful they take 'em there,

just 'cause they get drunk.

They'll sober him up, that's the

important thing. Let's not talk about it.

Maybe Marie

can go to a movie with you.

No, she's probably going out

somewheres with Turk.

She shouldn't be going out

with a fellow like Turk.

I don't know why you say that.

Turk's nice.

Fellow like that has no respect

for nice, young girls.

I can tell just by looking at him.

You think every girl is like Jennifer

Jones in The Song of Bernadette.

I like to believe that young people

like her are clean and decent.

- Hi.

- Hi, honey. My, you're up early.

- You want any breakfast?

- No, thank you.

It's such a nice morning,

why don't you walk with me?

- Yeah, Daddy, it'll do you good.

- I might come home for lunch.

Fine. I'll fix something hot for you.

- I hope I'm not rushing you.

- Not at all.

Have a good day. That's all right,

Daddy, you go on.

- Bye, you two, have fun.

- Wanna walk to the office?

- No, Daddy, I ain't even dressed.

- Kiss Daddy goodbye.

- Bye-bye.

- Aren't you gonna kiss me goodbye?

- Go on, Doc.

- Can't spend time kissing all the girls.

- Can I carry those?

- They're not heavy, I can manage.

It would look silly, a man my age.

A lot of men your age go to school.

I guess you had your share of college.

You can always tell

when a man's educated.

And isn't that a Phi Beta Kappa key?

I found it in a drawer the other day.

You're observant, Marie.

- Where'd you go?

- Mead. Most people never heard of it.

If they know anything

about medical colleges they have.

It's to medicine what Harvard is to law.

I had an uncle who went there.

Do people usually go to Mead

to become chiropractors?

- Well, I... I didn't finish there.

- What happened?

Well, I... I just didn't finish.

You take biology? You like it?

Sure. What's more interesting than

nature, especially our own bodies?

Speaking of bodies, my friend Turk.

This is where I have to leave you.

Have a good day.

- Same to you, Marie.

- Hey, Turk.

- If it isn't Mrs Rembrandt.

- Got room for me on your handlebars?

- Hello, Mrs Coffman. How are you?

- Thank you, fine, Mrs Delaney.

You're the busiest woman I ever saw.

Keeping busy is keeping happy.

With four kids to look after,

you've got no time to sit around.

- No, I suppose not.

- You don't hear me complain.

Oh, no, you never complain.

I wouldn't, either, if I had

a little cutie like Gretchen.

She's such a darling.

I'm afraid my little doggy has gone

for good, Mrs Coffman. I miss her so.

The only way to keep from

missing one dog is to get another.

No, I never could find another

little doggy as cute as Little Sheba.

I put an ad in the paper

for two weeks, but nobody answered it.

It's just like she vanished.

Just vanished into thin air.

That was months ago, Mrs Delaney.

You should get busy and forget her.

You should get busy, Mrs Delaney.

Yeah, I'm going to. As a matter of fact,

I've got something cooking now.

See you later.

- Hello, Mr Postman. How are you?

- Morning.

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