Lunch

Sigrid sweeps into my office, pushing stroller and carrying about five bags. She says she finally got herself and Elizabeth out of the apartment and now she is going to lunch with A Friend. Elizabeth has been fed and is sleeping (true) and won't be any trouble at all for an hour or so. Libby has watched whole exchange with something like awe which, for some reason, find irritating. Introduce Libby, say to Sigrid that Libby is pregnant. There is a discussion about morning sickness. Sigrid says, What you need is a small glass of beer. Libby who has been looking green for the past two weeks, suddenly turns a very violent chartreurse. Says, No she doesn't think that sounds right. Sigrid, becoming her most firm and brisk says You are coming with me. Libby--perhaps not realizing that she doesn't have a choice, also not knowing that Sigrid would not even consider whether or not I should have a say in the matter--Libby asks Is it ok? Wave her off, say boldly Everything will be fine here. Thankfully, work study student Billy is in office. We watch Elizabeth sleeping. Am tensely alert--not sure what for, but feel ready. The phone rings four times. It is ignored. The maintenence man comes around to pick up the trash and we wave him off. Elizabeth wakes up. Flashes a winning smile. Billy makes faces at her which she may or may not be smiling at. She commences to blow spit bubbles. (Had never before thought that same could possibly be considered cute.) This scene interrupted by the sound of somebody saying Oh. It is the vice-boss, standing in the doorway. She looked at Elizabeth with a horrified look on her face. Says, I sent your wife flowers, right? Billy snorts--try to give him a surreptitious kick. Thankfully, remember that the vice-boss has genetic mutation which prevents her from sensing the presence of those too far below her--notice, in fact, that she has, for once, made eye contact with me. Take the baby out, she says, vaugely. Billy complies. Ask her if she wants to sit. No she doesn't. She want to speak to me privately. About the Contessa. Throat is very dry and start to hear sound of blood rushing through blood vessles in ears. Sigrid breezes in again, hitting the vice-boss with the door. Give door another good shove with frustrated look on her face. She is very apologetic when she discovers the vice boss glowering and clutching her knee. Introduce the two. Sigrid, says, I've heard so much about you! Envelops the vice-boss in a hug--vice boss like a marble statue--and aparently in even more pain than when door met shin. Feel that love sister very much. The Vice-Boss says sinisterly, that she would appreciate it if I could come down and talk to her very soon.