Pulpy and Midge Read Online Free PDF Page B

sorry. Just go.’ Dan stood up. ‘Now.’
    Vince blinked and then slowly made his way out of the room. There were a few more murmurs, but they were quieter now.
    â€˜All right.’ Dan sat back down and cracked his large knuckles. ‘If nobody has any more questions, I’ll start taking your vision-statement suggestions.’

    When the meeting was ending and Dan had the vision statement tucked into a folder under his arm, he pulled Pulpy aside. ‘Pulpy, I’d like to ask you something.’
    Pulpy’s shoulders stiffened. ‘I’m sorry I was late,’ he said in a rush. ‘I lost track of time this morning, I don’t know how it happens. My wife and I, we always set the alarm, so I don’t know how the delay happens there, and then there’s the bus …’
    Dan shook his head. ‘Forget about that. How would you and your wife like to go to the Ice Follies with me and Beatrice?’
    Pulpy stared at him.
    â€˜We have a pair of extra tickets with your name on them.’ Dan chuckled. ‘Well, not really. I don’t even know what your wife’s name is! Ha! What is her name, anyway?’
    â€˜Midge.’
    â€˜Midge.’ Dan rolled her name around his mouth like he was savouring it.
    Pulpy looked from Dan’s neat pant creases to his own baggy pleats. ‘When’s the show?’
    â€˜Tonight. Does that work for you?’
    Pulpy pressed a thumb between his eyebrows. ‘I think so. I’ll call Midge. I mean, I’m sure it works.’
    â€˜On your lunch break, right?’ said Dan. ‘You’ll call her on your lunch break.’
    â€˜My lunch break. Yes.’ Pulpy nodded. ‘Thank you.’
    Dan winked at him. ‘You’re welcome.’
    â€˜Tonight?’ said Midge.
    â€˜He’s got the tickets,’ said Pulpy.
    â€˜What if I can’t go tonight? What if I had plans?’
    â€˜But you don’t. And it’s the Ice Follies, Midge – it’s your thing.’ The food court was busy. He eyed all the lineups forming. He still needed to eat.

    â€˜It’s not my thing, it’s
our
thing. We signed up to take Couples Ice Dance Expression together, remember? So what row are we?’
    â€˜He didn’t say.’
    â€˜Hmm. But the tickets are free.’
    â€˜He didn’t say that, either.’
    â€˜How could he possibly offer you tickets to an event and then charge you for them? What kind of a person would do that?’ She sighed. ‘Did you show him the catalogue, at least?’
    â€˜The catalogue.’ Pulpy tightened his grip on the receiver. The damp edge of his coat collar scratched his neck.
    â€˜Just bring it tonight, then. We’ll show it to his wife. The wife is the key.’
    â€˜Right.’ He cleared his throat and thought about the square lump of mush that Midge’s catalogue must be now, on the floor of the bus.
    â€˜What should I wear? Because I have a skirt, but I can’t wear nice shoes with it because of the weather.’
    â€˜What about those dress pants you bought?’
    â€˜I can’t wear them anymore. I took them to get altered and the woman at the tailor’s said, “Waist in or out?” And I said, “In.”’
    â€˜Why don’t you just take them back and have her fix them?’
    â€˜But she’s put so much effort into them already. I wouldn’t want to bother her. I couldn’t go back and ask her to reverse all that work. To
reverse
it, Pulpy! No, I’ll have to pick up some more dress pants at the mall. Do you need anything?’
    â€˜I really don’t think we should be spending money willy-nilly like this, Midge.’
    â€˜It’s not willy-nilly, it’s important. Besides, you’re getting a promotion and I’m going to sell lots of candles. And if we’re going to succeed we need to look good.’
    Pulpy’s hands went to his pleats.