Faye was in a nasty mood. When the waiter took their order, she insisted on a champagne cocktail for Homer. He wanted coffee. The waiter brought both, but she made him take the coffee back.
Homer explained painstakingly, as he must have done many times, that he could not drink alcohol because it made him sick. Faye listened with mock patience. When he finished, she laughed and lifted the cocktail to his mouth.
“Drink it, damn you,” she said.
She tilted the glass, but he ‘didn’t open his mouth and the liquor ran down his chin. He wiped himself, using the napkin without unfolding it.
Faye called the waiter Nike Soccer Cleats again.
“He doesn’t like champagne cocktails,” she said. “Bring him brandy.”
Homer shook his head.
“Please, Faye,” Soccer Cleats he whimpered.
She held the brandy to his lips, moving the glass when he turned away.
“Come on, sport — bottoms up.”
“Let him alone,” Tod finally said.
She ignored him as though she hadn’t even heard his protest. She was both furious and ashamed of herself. Her shame strengthened her fury and gave it a target.
“Come on, sport,” she said savagely, “or mama’ll spank.” She turned to Tod.
“I don’t like people who won’t drink. It isn’t sociable. They feel superior and I don’t like people who feel superior.”
“I don’t feel superior,” Homer said.
“Oh, yes, you do. I’m drunk and you’re sober and so you feel superior. Goddamned, stinking superior.” He opened his mouth to reply and she poured the brandy into it, then clapped her hand over his lips so that he couldn’t spit it back. Some of it came out of his nose.
Still without unfolding the napkin, he wiped himself. Faye ordered another brandy. When it came, she held it to his Cheap Soccer Cleats lips again, but this time he took it and drink it himself, fighting the stuff down.