"Barry B. Longyear - Homecoming" - читать интересную книгу автора (Longyear Barry)

Baxter concluded his third survey of the dresser drawers by slamming
the upper right. "Why don't you hire some help? We can afford it."

Deb's eyes widened. "Yawl means dat Massa Baxter gonna let dis nappy
ol' head actually hire someone? Me? a woman!"

"Oh, knock it off!" Baxter frowned and sat on the bed He put a hand on
Deb's shoulder. "Look. I'm sorry Deb. I know I said no hiring until I got
back, and I know it's been tough on you. Go ahead and hire whatever you
need in the way of help. I'll give Boxman a call and try and straighten
things out."

Deb put her hand on Baxter's and looked up into his eyes. "Carl, when
is the Air Force going to be finished with you? This whole thing is so silly.
One day we are running a successful advertising agency and living in a
nice condo, and the next we're stuck here in the middle of nowhere in a
shack that hasn't been repaired since Billy Mitchell was a P.F.C. Tell me
there's a light at the end of the tunnel."
 Baxter shrugged. "I don't know." He raised his head and looked at her.
"That trip to Santa Barbara every day is getting you down, isn't it? Maybe
you'd be happier if you stayed at home?"

"Look, Baxter, I'll stick it out as long as you do, and how much longer
can that be? Your six months is almost up, isn't it?"

Baxter stood up and resumed his search for the missing pair of socks.
"You think I might have left them in the living room?"

Deb's face developed an instant frown. "Isn't it?"

"Isn't what?"

She shook her head and pounded on the mattress with her fists. "Oh,
no! You didn't! Tell me you didn't get extended, Baxter! Tell me you didn't,
or I'll brain you with the alarm clock!"

He sighed, shrugged, scratched his head, then held out his hands. "I
didn't have any choice, Deb тАФ "

"Oooooooooo! YouтАж youтАж monster!" She threw off the covers, swung
her legs to the floor, then stormed off to the bathroom. The door slammed,
then clicked.

"Deb?" Baxter walked to the door. "Deb, honey? Don't lock yourself in,
honey. I still have to shave."

"Go away."

"Deb, I'm all they have in public relations right now to promote the Air