it looks awful cold out there, benny. and the sky is gray. you should check with mrs anderson to see if it going to snow.”
“i’ll be all right, mom. it is either gong to snow or it isn’t. and mrs anderson probably isn’t up yet.”
“she’s up. i can hear her.”
benny laughed. “o k, maybe i will look in on her. this sure is good oatmeal, mom, the best ever. “
“make sure you tie your scarf nice and tight now, and i polished your crutch for you, so people can see it in the shadows as they drive by.”
“aw, you didn’t have to do that. and most of my customers walk or take the trolley, they don’t drive, you know that.”
“but you never know, some billionaire might be driving by and like your looks and give you a real job.”
“selling the federal-democrat is a job, mom. maybe not the greatest job, but is a job.”
“i want you to have a real job, in an office, where you wear a suit and tie and have a secretary.”
“well, maybe someday.” benny finished his oatmeal and liked his spoon clean. he got up from the kitchen table and hobbled over to the low cupboard where he kept his jacket, cap, scarf and crutch.
mrs bergdorf was looking out the window. “here comes the snow.”
“then i guess i won’t have to bother mrs anderson,” benny said, as he wound his scarf around his neck, and adjusted his crutch under his left arm.
“you could still ask her how much snow. and you should put on your gloves.”
“i’ll think about it.” benny had gloves but only wore them when the temperature was below zero, because it was too hard to make change with them on.
his mom rushed to open the door for him, and he went out into the landing and began clumping down the seven flights of stairs to the street.
he paused before mrs anderson’s room on the second floor. there was a crack of light under the door.
mrs anderson was the building’s resident witch. benny decided not to call on her. he could see for himself through the little window ion the landing that the snow was really starting to come down.
and dago red, and not old sarge, would be on the truck today and he never waited even a second if a guy was a little late.
the wind and snow hit benny in the face when he pushed the door open.
he didn’t care. it promised to be a good morning to sell papers.
war was in the air! it might even have been declared last night!
there might even be an extra. he hurried down the street to the drop off spot on lexington.
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