August 20, 1915

Dr. Willett buttonholed me on the way to work. He said, “I want you to stop this county veterinarian stuff. Use the telephone and call the hospital. We’re here for medical emergencies.”

I stammered, “Yes sir. I don’t know why I didn’t call the hospital. It’s a new device I haven’t really embraced yet. I should have told JJ to call too. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.

The good doctor looked at me for a moment, and said, “Save it for cows and mares.” He smiled and tipped his hat saying, “You did a good, clean job. At a month old, the baby is healthy and gaining weight.” Then he dismissed me with a “Good day.”

I arrived early for my luncheon shift.  Corina and JJ sat at a table with the baby in a large wicker basket resting on a chair.

Corina spoke loudly in the almost empty dining room. “I want Julius to be his godfather.”

“No, it is bad enough you named him Julius on his birth certificate without telling me. I won’t allow your ex-beau to be the godfather.”

Troubled with the news, I continued walking quietly across the room. Corina saw me out of the corner of her eye.

Boldly she stated, “Julius is my choice. He delivered the baby.”

“We’re not going to do it. You chose a public place for this argument. Were you afraid to discuss this in private?” JJ replied truculently. “You deserve a good thrashing.”

I stiffened.

“If you want me to continue financing your debauchery, you will grant my wish!”

“The loans were for my business.”

Corina snapped, “I don’t see any improvements.  You don’t even know how to use a typewriter and you still have the old furniture. When do you plan to install the electric lights? You’re pissing it away on your road trips.”

JJ stood up and stormed out of the hotel.

“Julius,” Corina called to me. “Come look at your god child.”

I walked over and looked at the tiny being, loosely wrapped in a blue blanket reaching up to his elbows. He wiggled his arms free, yawned, gave me sort of a pleasant smirk, then closed his eyes and slept. Oh, the bliss of ignorance.

“He is a beautiful boy,” I think I said. Then, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Of course,” she replied. “You can visit him and me anytime you wish.”

I thanked her and went to work. We did not speak again today.

I walked the tracks home to Brooklyn tonight. Dark clouds gathered in the west. I saw JJ as he stepped off the Second Street Bridge heading for the saloons. An enormous burst of wind blew his hat off. He was sporting a huge red knot on the crown of his head. I believed; A very massive storm was arriving.

Cabin Hotel Steamboat Springs, Colorado