Battle Cry Read Online Free Page B

turned out to be all the things I wished I could have been. Yes, I suppose I’m jealous of my own boy. Ever since you were a little bugger you haven’t needed me. I remember how you’d come in from peddling papers when we lived in that flat on North Avenue. You’d be bloodied up from the big boys on your corner. But you always went back and slugged it out.”
    He sighed and lit another cigarette. “And you wanted to play football. Mother locked you in your room and you’d jump from the second story. You’ve had the guts to stand up to her. I never have.”
    “What are you saying?”
    “I wanted you to play ball. But I took her side—I always have. Still, I guess, inside me, I’m the proudest man alive that you want to join the Marine Corps. Don’t think losing a boy is easy to take. I think…this once, son…I’ll have to carry the ball for you.”
    “Dad, Dad…I don’t know what to say.”
    “Have you told Kathy yet?”
    “No, sir.”
    “I think you’d better go over there and see her.”

CHAPTER 2
    CONSTANTINE ZVONSKI lay back on the creaky bed and watched the pall of blue smoke drift to the ceiling. From where he lay he could see the garish sign of lightbulbs flick off and on. H OTEL , it read, R OOMS $1.50 AND UP . A shift in position caused the ancient bedsprings to groan. The dim yellowish light within partly hid the cobwebs and the faded carpet with its accumulated grit and dirt of the years.
    The silence in the street outside was broken by a sharp clicking of heels against the cobblestone pavement. He darted quickly to the window and drew aside the threadbare curtain. It must be Susan.
    He snuffed his cigarette nervously as the sound faded and was then reheard coming quickly up the steps. He unbolted the safety lock and opened the door a crack. As she approached the head of the stairs he beckoned her softly. She entered the room breathlessly. He shut and relocked the door.
    He took her in his arms. She was fresh and cold from the crisp January air.
    “Honey you’re shaking like a leaf,” he said.
    “I’ll be all right in a minute, it was cold outside.”
    “No, you’re scared.”
    She pulled herself away gently and took off her coat, then sat slowly on a hard-backed chair and hid her face in her hands.
    “Your old man again?” She nodded. “Dammit, why can’t he leave us alone.”
    “I’ll be all right in a minute, Connie.” He lit a cigarette and handed it to her. “Thanks, darling.”
    “Was it bad?”
    She managed to steady herself but her eyes watered as she spoke. “The usual. He called us names. He threatened me. I’m here now, everything is all right.”
    Connie smashed his fist hard into an open hand. “He’s right. I’m no good. I’m no damned good or I wouldn’t have you come to a dump like this. He’s only trying to do what’s right for you. If I was any kind of a guy…”
    “You don’t hear me complaining.”
    “That’s the trouble, I wish you’d complain. No, I don’t—I don’t know what I mean.”
    He turned and leaned against the dresser. Susan came up behind him and put her arms over his shoulders and rested a cheek on the back of his neck. “No kiss for me, Connie?”
    He spun about and grasped her tightly. “I love you so much, sometimes I think I’m going to bust wide open.”
    They kissed. “I love you too, Connie,” Susan said.
    She walked to the bed, kicked off her shoes and sat back, resting against the headboard, and drew deeply and contentedly on her cigarette. He seated himself on the edge and took her hand and stroked it.
    “I’ve got something important to tell you. Look, honey—we’ve talked a hundred times. Your old man will never leave us in peace as long as we are here. We got to get away from Philly.”
    He began a catlike pace about the room, sputtering to find the right words. “He’s got no use for me, maybe he’s right. Sure, I got a record and reform school and all…but that was before I met you, honey. I’d do