That’s probably Ian calling. Again. Hello?
Hello, Martha, can I speak to Jerry?
Certainly, it’s Ian, for you.
Thanks. Hi Ian, old pal.
Where were you this afternoon, Jerr?
Well that’s a silly question.
I’m glad to hear you say that, Jerry.
Why?
I wouldn’t have called you at home, because I know it’s tough for you to talk, but I had a call a little while ago from the police.
Look, Ian, gonna have to call you back. I have to.
Hold it, Jerry, all I want to know is that you were playing the same Wednesday scene today.
Certainly.
That’s what I figured. So I told the sergeant that you were in my office most of the afternoon. They’re calling about a hit-and-run driver in a car with the same first two numbers as your license.
Must be a ton of those calls to make.
I knew it couldn’t be you because I knew where you were so I backed you up ol’ buddy!
Thanks, thanks very much, Ian! I’ll check in to that tomorrow after breakfast. Talk to you later! Bye. The best way
Jerry?
What?
Phone call for you. It’s Mrs. Thompson.
Oh. Thank you. Hi Mrs. Thompson! By the way, have you heard from Ian?
No. What’s wrong?
First, everything’s fine, just fine. Project came through as planned. And the car is fixed.
Oh, I knew it would work! I knew it!
But Ian’s been trying to reach you all afternoon.
Oh that’s probably nothing.
You make it sound like nothing.
Look, I’ll go right home and calm it down. But Jerry, you might say thank you. After all, this was the best way, wasn’t it?
* * * * * * * * *
Hit and run
Where have you been?
Out shopping. I got home and got your message about the hospital and rushed right over here. Well, what is it?
Brace yourself.
What’s happened?
Tommy —
Tommy? Oh no! Where is he?
He just came out of the operating room about half an hour ago. We are waiting for him to come down.
How is he?
They think he may be all right.
What’s the matter? What happened?
Some lousy hit-and-run driver ran right into him on his bike and drove off!
No-oh!
Doctor said it went pretty good!
Driving me crazy
God please tell me he will be all right!
We don’t know. He’s been driving me crazy asking for you!
No, no, no, it’s not true! It’s not true!
Imagine anyone doing that!
But what was he doing way — well, I mean, how did it happen?
What’s the difference? It happened!
No, no, no! Please, you’ve got to tell me, I have to know!
Get a hold of yourself! You’ve gotta stop crying.
Sorry, I had to cry!
All right, yeah. Hold the phone. Tommy’s here!
I’m here, Tommy! It’s, it’s all right now, Tommy.
I know it.
Tommy darling!
Mom! Oh why didn’t you come back? Why didn’t you come back?
What’s that he said?
He’s delirious! He’s in shock!
Why didn’t you come, is that what he’s saying?
Hush, Tommy.
I kept calling, and calling, but you didn’t come for me! You didn’t come!