He took out his handkerchief and wiped away her tears. Then he lifted her easily in those strong arms and carried her to the bed. Her emotions were spent. She hadn’t the strength left to be nervous. It was all easy and natural and she was very happy that he knew what he was doing. When they finally crawled out of bed, it was near nine o’clock and they had to walk a dozen blocks to find a diner that was open where they could get hamburgers and pie. She counted the blocks and watched for landmarks so she could find the way back. She had a hamburger and a vanilla malt, he ate three hamburgers with a slice of apple pie. They walked back to the hotel, enjoying the warm air of a summer night and the distant lights winking high up in the mountains.

21.

BAM-BAM BUTTERFIELD HIT HARD AND HE HIT often. Emaline sat with Vera Betz in the second row, directly behind Moe Spitzer, inhaling the smoke from his cigar. It was hard to watch. She peeked through her fingers, covering her face when Jake seemed to be getting the worst of it. He fought well but lost a split decision.

Vera showed her the way back to the dressing room, where Jake sat on a table looking bloody and battered and completely spent. Bucky’s cut man was working on a gash on Jake’s left eyebrow, the room smelled of blood and disinfectant. Emaline ran her finger over his cheek. “I want you to quit now. I don’t want you to fight again.”

Jake turned, spat a great gout of blood into a bucket on the floor, threw a towel aside in disgust. “You don’t have to talk me into it,” he said. “I’m done. I might take another fight or two to pay the bills, but I’m done.”