When Pearl and I get together it seems as if we both need to see who is boss. I remember a road trip from Phila- delphia to Atlantic City. Pearl was driv- ing in a downpour and the visibility was terrible. I was very nervous. She was driving with one hand and holding a cup of coffee in the other. Marvin was sitting next to her and Marvin’s aide was in back with me. At some point Pearl announc- es that for the next hour we will all be listening to a recording of Tolstoy’s, War and Peace. That was the last straw. We got into a heated argument. That evening at Pearl’s house I thought I would play the piano. “No,” Pearl said, “I don’t want to hear you. If you were as good as Marvin it would be okay, but you’re not.” She was deter- mined to get back at me for not listening to her tape. When we get together it is like two animals in the jungle fighting for control. When we finally get tired and realize that neither of us is stronger, we are fine. Later Pearl came to my room and apologized. That took some courage. MOMENTS BIG AS YEARS Other moments come to mind, I think it was at Jay’s and Lauren’s Bar and
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