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I understand what you mean, he answers, but, Natalie honey, it's not such an easy thing, there's been a lot of talk about a recession, and you can't tell, it might be a depression coming again
Joey, it's not like you to talk like that, what I like about you is you're so strong and optimistic
No, you make me that wayHe sits there quite silentYou know, I'll tell you, I do have an idea, I've been thinking of going into welding, it's a new field but not so new that it isn't establishedOf course I think that plastics or television is the thing to come, but it's undependable yet, and I don't have the education for that, I have to face it
That sounds all right, JoeyIt's not such a snooty profession, but maybe in a couple of years you'll be able to own a store
A shop, shop, that isn't anything to be ashamed of
They discuss it, decide he must go to night school for a year until he is trainedThe thought makes him moodyI won't be able to see you so much, maybe only a couple of nights a week, I'm wondering if that's such a healthy thing
Oh, Joey, you don't understand me, when my mind is made up it's made up, I can wait, you don't have to worry about meShe laughs softly, warmly
He begins a very hard year, working for forty-four hours in the warehouse, eating his quick supper, and striving to remain alert in the classrooms and workshops at nightHe gets home at twelve, goes to bed, and drags himself up to meet the next morningOn Tuesday and Thursday nights he sees Natalie after class, staying up till two and three in the morning to the displeasure of her parents and the nagging of his mother
They have fights over this
Joey, I've got nothing against the girl, she's probably a very nice girl, but you're not ready to get married, for the girl's sake I don't want you to get marriedShe wouldn't want to live in a place not so nice
But that's what you don't understand, that's where you underestimate her, she knows what we'll have to face, it isn't as if we're going into it blindfolded
Look, Mama, I'm twenty-one, I've been a good son to you, haven't I, I've worked hard, I'm entitled to a little pleasure, a little happiness
Joey, you talk as if I begrudge it to you, of course you've been a good sonI want you to have all the joys in the world, but you're ruining your health, you're staying out late, and you're going to be taking on too much responsibilityOh (tears form in her eyes), it's only your happiness I want, you should understand
