"Try walk?"
"Da Da," she said. He pulled her slowly to her feet. Her other arm went
out for balance and she sat back down.
"Very good!" Emma smiled victoriously.
"She almost stood up," he told Jennifer when she got back. "I'll bet
she's walking in a couple of months."
"I hope you're not pushing her."
"The Olympic Trials are right around the corner."
"Oh, Oliver. The Germans always win the baby walk."
Oliver laughed. "What's for dinner?"
"Pizza--pesto and chicken."
"God," Oliver said.
"Oh, something good happened at The Conservancy. Jacky Chapelle dropped
by--remember Jacky? She's in town for a week. She said she'd come to
the party."
"Ah . . ." Oliver cleared his throat. "I like Jacky."
"I thought you did."
"Surprised she isn't married," he said, "a bit bossy, I guess." He
shook his head sadly, reactivating the "creep" sign.
"Well, you're taken."
"Quite so," Oliver said. "Just another hungry breadwinner."
"Half an hour. Oh, Precious, did Daddy make you walk?"
"Mama," Emma said as Oliver retreated to the barn.
It was good that Jacky was coming, Oliver decided; it meant that she
had forgiven him or gotten over it or something.
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