Birthday Present

Diane got out first and made sure the way was clear. "We'll use the back stairs," she said when she got back. "We both can manage him." It was dark and it was late and we didn't see anybody. We went through the service entrance. It was too heavy a load for me to do it alone. Two flights up. Diane helped me with him. I breathed easier when we were in the marble hall outside the apartment. She quickly unlocked the heavy plastic door and we got him inside. She fumbled for the inner-lighting switch.