The Subject Was Roses Page #2

"Joy, joy,"

said Mrs. Malloy.

What's the matter?

I never expected to hear

such nonsense from you.

It beats swearing.

You used to cover your ears

when your father said it.

I'll never say it again.

Don't talk to me like that!

I'm sorry.

I don't know what's wrong

with me this morning.

I don't think I slept well.

Too much excitement, the party and all.

Will you have bacon with it?

Just the waffles will be fine.

Did you like the party?

Yes.

I still can't believe you're here.

I find it a little

hard to believe myself.

You are here.

Want to pinch me?

Go ahead.

Go on.

There.

You believe it now?

What are you doing?

Cut it out.

Cut it out!

One pinch to a customer.

House rule.

The waffles must be ready.

The light on the iron went out.

Isn't that what that means

when that little light goes out?

What's the matter?

What's the matter?

What's wrong?

What is it?

What is it?

They stuck.

What?

Why did they have to stick today?

What, the waffles?

I can't remember

the last time they stuck.

What is that to cry about?

I've been looking forward to this morning

for three years,

and nothing's right.

Why do you say that?

Not one thing.

What isn't right?

Not one single thing.

Will you please stop?

The things you've been saying...

Your attitude.

What things?

What attitude?

You haven't even asked about Willis.

How is he?

Every time I look at you, you avoid me.

That's ridiculous.

You're doing it now.

I am not!

How could you forget

waffles were your favorite?

I just forgot.

Then you must have forgotten

a lot of things.

I'll tell you one thing

I didn't forget...

the dance...

The one we were going to have

the first morning I was home.

What made you think of that?

It's been on my mind all along!

I'll bet.

I was about to turn on the radio

when you started crying.

I'll bet.

If you're through, I'll do it now.

Are you through?

I haven't danced for so long,

I've probably forgotten how.

I can't remember the last time I danced.

Come on.

You really want to?

Yes!

Well, you asked for it.

That-a girl.

Here we go.

Forgot how to dance.

Who are you kidding?

I guess it's one of those

things you never forget.

Remember this?

Have you been taking lessons?

Of course.

Come here often?

First time.

Me likewise.

By yourself?

With a girl friend.

That's all the time we

have on dance parade...

Don't move.

Tomorrow for more music

for your dancing pleasure.

What do you say?

The spirit's willing.

Let's go!

1, 2, 3, go!

Not bad, not bad.

What will the neighbors think?

The worst!

Hang on!

We're doing fine now!

I can't do anymore.

We're going into the homestretch!

Doing fine!

I'm getting dizzy!

Once more! Let's go!

Hang on!

Hang on, mom!

I can't!

Are you all right?

I think so.

I'm dead.

So am I.

Know something?

What?

I really believe you're here now.

So do I.

What are you going to do today?

I don't know.

Why don't you come to mamma's with me?

We're going there tomorrow for dinner.

Willis would love to see you.

I'll see him tomorrow.

When we told him you were coming home,

he began to sing.

First time he's done that in months.

All right, I'll go.

We won't stay long.

All right.

Well, hello.

Don't get up on my account.

We were dancing and fell down.

What did you forget?

Nothing.

Why'd you come back?

I changed my mind.

Still want to take a ride

to the lake? It's a date.

What about Ruskin?

The hell with him.

Still want to go?

Yes.

What about Willis?

What about Willis?

Timmy was going to

see him this afternoon.

I'll see him tomorrow.

I told him you'd be over today.

Before you even asked me?

I felt sure you'd want to.

You had no right to do that.

Well, what will I tell him?

Tell him I'll be there tomorrow.

He'll be disappointed.

That's not my fault.

If we're going to the lake,

we better get started.

I just have to get my tie.

You haven't eaten.

We'll grab something on the way.

I came out

of St. Francis,

started for the subway.

I was halfway there when

I thought of Mr. Freeman.

What wouldn't he give

to spend a day with his son?

Made me turn around and come back.

You're mad.

Well, you told me to

take him to the lake.

And you always do what I tell you.

Bless us and save us.

Corporal Cleary reporting for duty, sir!

Kiss your mother good-bye.

That's not a duty.

So long, mom.

Come on.

We won't be late.

I haven't told that one in years.

I was considered a very funny fellow,

thanks to you.

I guess you must have seen

some pretty bad things.

Not as much as a lot of others.

Maybe you'd rather not talk about it.

I don't mind.

I'd like to hear what you have to say.

I don't know where to begin.

Anything that comes to mind.

You want to hear

the bravest thing I ever did?

Sure.

The first night we were in combat,

I slept with my boots off.

Go on.

That's it.

Doesn't sound like much, does it?

Not offhand.

The fellows who eventually cracked up

were all guys who couldn't sleep.

If I hadn't decided to take my boots off,

I'd have been one of them.

I see.

Want to hear the smartest thing I did?

Yes.

I never volunteered.

The fact is, I wasn't

a very good soldier, pop.

You did everything they asked you.

Good ones do more.

You'd have been a good one.

What makes you say that?

I can tell.

Thanks.

Cheers.

Cheers.

So they really went for

the old man's jokes?

Yes.

You know,

it's one of the big regrets of my life

I was never in the service.

I know.

The day world war I was declared,

I went to the recruiting office.

I supported my family.

They turned me down.

I know.

It's always bothered me,

missing out on the whole thing.

I keep wondering what difference

it might have made in my life,

but then I wonder how I'd have made out.

I wouldn't have settled for a desk job.

I'd have gotten to the front.

I'm sure of that.

But once there, how would I have done?

Fine.

How do you know?

You're a born fighter.

They say some guys who

are terrors as civilians

turned to jelly when

they heard those bullets.

Not you.

Well, doesn't seem so.

You can't be sure.

See, that's always bothered me.

Can I say something to you?

Sure.

You won't take it the wrong way?

No.

I owe you an apology.

For what?

You were always sick,

always home from school

with one thing or another,

I never thought you'd last in the army.

Neither did I.

When Dr. Grossburg heard they took you.

He said it was ridiculous.

They put you in the infantry,

he said it was inhuman.

And when I survived?

Said it was a miracle.

I don't think it was a miracle.

I think we just underestimated you...

Especially me.

Hey, speaking of college,

if you get into one of those big places

and it's more than the G.I. Bill

pays for, I'll help you out.

Thanks.

Of course, that's

just between you and me.

Why?

I don't want people

getting wrong notions.

About what?

That I'm loaded.

Are you loaded?

Don't be ridiculous.

That doesn't answer my question.

The question's ridiculous.

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