McDougal had been successful in all his previous land ventures, including one in which I had invested a few thousand dollars and earned a modest profit. From then on he was letter-perfect in following orders of landing signal officers, obeying like a robot, emotions and judgment suppressed by a sort of autohypnosis. As he enters me, I pretend to wake up and call him by name-but never his name. Me, myself, and a baseball bat.
I didn't realize that Becky-Maggie-Mama-that Magdalene was being both wise and kind. Perhaps his remark wasn't taken seriously-regimental adjutant is lower than battalion commander. But if the grade is steep, the wagon slides on its tires-then goes over the edge, mules and all. Relationships inside his family also were vague.
Join the newsletter to receive news, updates, new products and freebies in your inbox.