Circles by Marilyn Sachs Page A

grow warm. He poured himself a glass of milk, not facing his father, facing the kitchen sink, and said quickly, “It wasn’t that kind of evening, Dad. I told you I was going with the City Astronomers up to Mount Tam to look at the stars.”
    “Well, that’s what you said. “ His father’s voice was heavy with laughter and disbelief.
    “But I meant it.” Mark finished pouring his milk and turned towards his father. “You saw me take my telescope, and I told you I was being picked up by somebody in the club.”
    “Sure, sure!” His father waved a hand. “But I didn’t know who was picking you up, and who you were going to be watching with. Listen, Mark, I can remember myself doing a little stargazing with a girl when I was your age. Not that I—not that either of us knew anything about the stars—but we sure learned a lot about other things. So come on, Mark, don’t tell me there aren’t any cute girls in this group of yours.”
    Mark set the glass of milk on the table, opposite his father. “Well, there is one nice-looking woman—Dr. Ridler. She’s a dentist, and she’s about your age. And then, there’s Ms. Jackson, not so good-looking but pretty smart. She’s in her seventies. She’s the one who picked me up. She’s built a couple of telescopes, and knows a lot about mountings. The rest of the group are men. I guess I’m the youngest.”
    “Your mother called,” his father said. “She said you should call her as soon as you get up. Then I want to ask you something.”
    Mark went off to the hall and called his mother. She picked it up after half a ring.
    “Hello,” she said eagerly. “Hello.”
    Mark felt guilty. He hadn’t called her for nearly a week, and he pictured her sitting there, waiting for the phone to ring, waiting for him, and waiting.
    “Hi, Mom,” he said. “I was going to call you today. I was out stargazing last night, and I got in late, but I was going to call you as soon as I got up.”
    “I just didn’t want to miss you, honey,” said his mother in her important, hurried voice. “We’re having Jeddy’s party today instead of next weekend so I just hope you can make it. I tried to call last night—we changed the date yesterday because his scout group is going on an overnight next weekend, and I didn’t know until yesterday so ...”
    “Jeddy’s party?” Mark said.
    “For his birthday,” his mother explained. “It’s really next Sunday, of course, but he’ll be with his scouts. Oh, Mark, I sure hope you can make it. He’ll die if you’re not there. All of his friends are coming.”
    “Well, sure,” Mark said. “Sure, I can make it.” He had forgotten Jeddy’s birthday. But as long as his mother or Jeddy didn’t know ... “The only thing is, I haven’t bought him a present yet. I was going to get some parts for a telescope but I didn’t know the party would be today.”
    His mother’s voice dropped. “Well, I picked up a couple of things yesterday. You can give him either a red sweat suit or a new mitt.”
    “I was going to build a telescope with him,” Mark said. “I promised I’d build a telescope with him.”
    “Well, maybe next year,” said his mother. “He’s only interested in baseball these days anyway. Why don’t you give him the mitt? I’ll wrap it up for you, and you get over here as soon as you can. It’s going to be a lunch party. It will start at one.”
    “Okay, Mom, great. Thanks, Mom. I’ll get moving right away. See you soon.”
    His father smiled and nodded at him when he returned to the kitchen. “Everything okay?” he asked. “She only said you should call her back. She never wastes any words on me.”
    “Sure, Dad, everything’s fine. She wants me to come out today because—”
    “Oh, no,” said his father. “I was hoping you’d spend the day with me.”
    “I’m sorry, Dad, but it’s Jeddy’s birthday.”
    “Birthday?” his father repeated. “Jeddy’s birthday?”
    “Of course, it’s really