Cliff had driven through light snow to the City Plaza, Marie’s downtown condo overlooking the Ohio River. That was four hours ago. It is now almost midnight. He and Marie are seated in the kitchen drinking coffee before Cliff takes to the icy roads home.
“I think you should stay the night.”
“I don’t want to leave Sally alone. I did that once, remember?”
“I’m afraid that was my fault.”
“Nonsense, I’m a big boy now.”
Marie laughs. “I can attest to that.”
Cliff pulls her into his arms for a long dangerous kiss. She teasingly places her hand on his crotch and says, “My, my, my.”
“Let’s save that for next time,” says Cliff.
“Good! I’m glad there’s going to be a next time.”
“Not as glad as I am.”
“Ok, lover, let’s get you bundled up and on your way.”
He kisses her one last time. “Damn, you’re beautiful.”
“You too,” she says. “Please drive carefully.”
“I will, dear,” he says with a grin.
Marie pinches him playfully on the arm and pushes him out the door into the bitter cold night.
Ten minutes later Cliff’s car skids into a tree.
Meanwhile, Sally releases herself from Judd’s embrace on the living room couch.
“I wonder where Dad is. He rarely stays out this late.”
Judd checks his watch. “It’s only 12:35.”
“Maybe I should call somebody.”
“Who?”
“Oh, hell, I don’t know. Maybe the hospital. Or the police.”
“I don’t think he’d like that.”
“No.”
“Does he have a favorite neighborhood bar?”
“Several. That’s what bothers me on a night like this.”
“I’ll go look for him.”
“Brilliant, Judd. Then I’ll have to worry about both of my men.”
Judd takes her hand and says, “I didn’t know you cared that much about me.”
“I want you to know, Judd Willoughby, that I don’t make a habit of necking with every guy I meet.”
“That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me all night.”
“Well, it’s not easy to neck and talk at the same time.”
He kisses her.
“See what I mean?”
“Yes, let’s try it again.”
“Oh, Judd, I’m worried about Dad.”
“Maybe he’s at his office.”
“Not at this hour.”
“Maybe he…”
“What?”
“Has a date.”
“Not my dad. Even after the long separation he’s still in love with my mother.”
“Ok, Sally, let’s call the bars.”
“Dad would love that.”
“Better than calling the police.”
“Yes. Want to watch tv?”
“Let’s talk."
“Ok.”
“Wait,“ says Judd. “I hear the door.”
Sally runs to the front door just as it opens. Cliff limps in with a patch on his forehead and his left arm in a sling.
“Dad! What happened?”
“A damn tree hit me.”
Judd helps Cliff to the couch.
“I’m all right, Judd. All I need is a tall scotch.”
“Tell me what happened,” says Sally.
“Those damn icy streets.”
“Did you wreck the car?”
“Just banged up the left door and fender. A cop stopped and drove me to Jewish Hospital, where I got this sling and the pretty patch.”
“No other injuries.”
“Only to my ego. Fortunately, I was sober.”
“I would hope so in this weather,” says Sally. “What about the car?”
“I called a wrecker and had the car towed to Hefflemann’s garage.”
“Thank God you’re home.”
“God had nothing to do with it. Thank the Cincinnati police department.”
Sally hugs her father. “Why did you go out on a night like this?”
“I was lonely.”
Judd hands him a scotch, and Sally says, “We should have stayed home.”
“Hey, I’m a big boy now.” Cliff smiles when he remembers having said those same words to Marie.
“Well, we’re glad you’re home.”
“Yeah, Cliff, I was going to make a round of the local bars, but your daughter talked me out of it.”
Sally kisses Judd on the cheek.
“Thanks, Sal. Sorry I worried you.”
“Just don’t do it again.”
Judd says, “I’d better go. I’m leaving in the morning for Virginia, for a meeting with a history professor I know at William and Mary.”
“Good school,” says Cliff. “That’s where George Wythe taught Jefferson his law.”
“George Wythe?”
“Yes, a Virginia signer of the Declaration who got murdered.”
“I hope we’ll have a chance to talk about it sometime soon.”
“Judd, the invitation to stop by is still open. Right, Sally?”
“Any time,” she says as she gives Judd a look that tells Cliff the romance is heating up.
"Why not spend Christmas with us?" says Cliff.
"I can't. I promised the folks that I'd spend Christmas in Kentucky at the farm."
"Hey, Sal, another farmer."
"It's a horse farm, Dad."
"Captain Jack would have liked all that manure. Better than scratching produce out of that dry land we tried to farm."
"Dad, those were stone age times."
”Tell me about it. From the couch he shakes Judd's hand. "So, join us on New Year's Day. We'll welcome in 1972 together."
"Thanks, Cliff, I'd love too. Good night."
As Judd and Sally walk arm in arm to the front door, she says, “Please don't you go hurting any trees."
"Relax, I never saw a tree I didn't like." Judd kisses Sally goodbye and leaves.
When she returns to the living room, Cliff says, “I like that young man.”
“Me too, I like him a lot. But you…I’m still a little mad at you for the worry you caused. You should know better. I won’t ask where you were tonight.”
“Good girl.”
“But, Dad, who was she?”
End
