Chapter 4

Alan felt a surge of annoyance. “Millie and I broke it off three months ago, you know that.”

His mother walked to the table and leaned on a chair. “Yes, I know and I don’t understand why. She was such a nice girl and it was obvious that she liked you. Whatever happened between you?”

“Nothing.” Absolutely nothing if you want to know the truth!

“Nothing? There had to be something. The two of you seemed to get on so well. Why, I would have thought you’d be at least engaged by now.”

“Who’s engaged?” asked Alan’s father as he came in. “Hi, Alan. You get engaged?”

“Hi, Pop,” Alan said, laughing. “No I’m not engaged.”

“And that’s the problem, George,” Alan’s mother continued as she went back to the sink. “Arnie’s been married for two years. He’s three years younger than Alan and he’s given me three grandchildren already.”

“That’s because he knocked Sarah up the summer after he graduated high school,” his dad said. “Move over, Martha, I need to wash my hands.”