Страница 24 из 41
When the half finally ended Harry wanted to talk to the others about the game, but Suzie wiggled around so much he knew it would be useless to try so he left the crowd of spectators and put Suzie down. O.K., o.k., we’ll go to the playground. You happy now? completely exasperated and frustrated. She trotted off, her mind empty of everything but the forthcoming pleasure of the swings, the sliding pond and the see-saw, Harry walking rapidly behind her, turning his head occasionally to look back at the football field.
Suzie was hanging from a swing when Harry caught up with her. Now be careful. Youll hurt yourself doing that. He picked her up and put her in the swing and told her to hold on tightly to the safety bar across the front. He pushed the swing and Suzie kicked her legs with glee and at first Harry told her to stop kicking and to sit still, but after a few minutes of his daughters giggling, and the silence from the football field, he relaxed and continued pushing until Suzie suddenly a
He held his hands out ready to catch her as she climbed the steps one by one, then waited for her at the end of the slide, but she vigorously shook her head, no, and so he allowed her to slide down alone still standing ready as she climbed the steps once again and waited for her to come ru
Soon the noise from the football field made it obvious that the second half had started. Harry continued to watch his daughter as she climbed the ladder, but he was getting more and more fidgety. Then a loud cheering, and the movement of the crowd, indicated that someone had scored. It must have been a touchdown, the cheering had that kind of sound to it. Suzie was skipping her way back to the ladder when Harry picked her up and spun her around a few times and she giggled happily. When he put her down he knelt beside her, Did you have fun, sweetheart?
Suzie nodded her head vigorously, Put me on the seesaw now, daddy.
Im afraid we havent time, honey. We have to go home soon.
We got time. Its not time to eat yet—sounding as if she actually knew di
Well no, not exactly, but daddy wanted to watch the football game for a few minutes before we have to go home.
O I dont like it. I dont wa
Ah please, sweetheart. I’ll tell you what. I’ll carry you piggy back all the way. Hows that?
We could stay here and you could carry me piggyback. You said we’d go to the playground. You said—lowering her head, still pouting, her voice even closer to tears.
Look, I know what. How about a nice surprise after di
What sprize?
O, I cant tell you that. Then it wont be a surprise.
She looked up at him for a moment, still pouting, Honest? A sprize?
Of course—feeling a blush warming his face—I wouldnt lie to my little girl.
One more slide?
O.K.—standing up and following her to the ladder. When she reached the bottom he knelt and his daughter climbed on Harrys back after he cautioned her to hold on tight to his neck, but not to choke him.
He walked toward the field quickly, holding his daughters legs, then broke into a jogging lope as Suzie prodded him with a giddyup, she enjoying the breeze on her face as she put her cheek next to her daddys and relished not having to bend her head backwards to look up at people, even being able to look down at many.
Harry swiftly worked his way back to his previous spot and found out that the score was now tied. He immediately became completely involved in the game as one team put the ball in play on their own 20 after a touchback, and the fullback picked up 12 quick yards on a draw play. After that the quarterback moved his team upfield by continually outthinking the defense with trap plays and slants off the tackles and guards, and a couple of short hook passes at just the right time.
His daughter remained satisfied with the novelty of her position and her daddy moved around just enough to make it interesting. For a while. Then the novelty faded, just as the defense recovered a fumble inside their own 20—and just when they were really moving the ball too.
I wa
I told you, Suzie, not now—what a jerk. A few more plays and they wouldve been over.
Suzie bounced up and down repeating, Please more—tugging at Harrys neck.
Not now, and stop that. Youre hurting daddy—lets see what this other quarterback can do. If he can get them out—I said stop—turning to look at Suzie. Do you want me to put you down?
No—still bouncing but no longer tugging at his neck—but I wa
A time out was called and Harry knelt and his daughter slid off his back and he held her hands as he spoke softly, but firmly, to her, his irritation growing. I told you if you are a good girl I would give you a surprise after di
What sprize daddy?
Youll see after di
When they were out of the crowd he wiped Suzies face with his handkerchief, We dont want mommy to know we were crying now do we?
We going home now, daddy?
Yes, honey.
Can we go on the swings first, huh?
No.
Please. I hardly didnt get to go.
No, its too late—the sadness in her voice causing Harry to respond angrily—di
And a sprize you said.
Yes, I wont forget. Youll get a surprise. Now climb on and we’ll go home.
Harry played horsie to his daughters giddyup and between that and an occasional tickle Suzie was laughing when they romped into the house.
Well, its about time you two vagabonds got home—taking her daughter off Harrys back, kissing her before putting her down -a few more minutes and you would have had a catastrophe instead of a roast.
Hmmmm, smells good. I guess we had better get washed. Come on honey, lets get our hands and face washed.