A LOVE STORY: A NAÏVE AND SENTIMENTAL TRIFLE
“Eddie, there are many reasons I shouldn’t marry you and
only one or two reasons I should. You
are handsome, dapper, a man-about-town, a lover of parties and late nights,
worldly … I could go on. I, on the other
hand am plain, shy, not very social, a homebody …. again, I could go on.”
“I know all that Linda, except that I’m not sure I agree
with your assessment of either of us completely. But more to the point, what do
you think are the one or two reasons we should get married?”
“I love you and you love me. That’s one.
We really enjoy each other’s company.
That’s two.”
“You know Linda, my parents are very attractive,
sophisticated, party-goers, ambitious, social butterflies, … I could go
on. But they lack the two elements you
say we have. They don’t love each other
and they really don’t much care to be with each other. Their marriage is rooted in business, not
love or affection. Since I’ve been
seeing you, I have felt for the first time as if I’m in a real relationship.”
“I know how you feel now, Eddie, and I truly believe
you. What I’m worried about is that down
the road, if we got married, you’d begin to feel the strain of being married to
someone who couldn’t help you on your climb to the top. Knowing how much I hate parties and most
social events and how much you love them, you’d go by yourself. You take the kidding from others about being
the most single married man they know.
You wouldn’t want this to happen, but you’d start noticing the women who
would take an interest in you. You’d
dismiss most of them, but there would bound to be some whom you genuinely liked
and were attracted to. You’d resist for
a while, perhaps a long while, but then you’d relent. And I wouldn’t blame you one bit. But the marriage, the kind of marriage we
both wanted, would be over.”
“Linda, first of all, I am ambitious. I do want to move up in the business
world. I don’t love the social scene
that goes along with it, but it’s part of the whole package. What you need to understand is that, when I
come to see you, it’s as though I can let go of the phoniness that surrounds me
at work and I can be myself. I could
never get very far without that. I’d
become angry and bitter because I’d be trapped in the world I grew up in.”
“I know you feel that way, and I’m so glad you do. Why don’t we just enjoy being boyfriend and
girlfriend for at least a few months.
Let’s put the marriage talk on hold.”
“I’m willing to do that, only because I do love you and want
you to be happy.”
And so, Eddie and Linda continued to date. Eddie couldn’t wait to come over to Linda’s
house. Her parents were both
teachers. Their house was very modest,
especially by the standards of his own house.
But, when he crossed the threshold of that house, he felt the weight of
the world fall off his shoulders.
Linda’s father and mother were also more likeable and approachable than
his parents ever could be. But it was
mainly Linda who made him feel so relaxed and completely himself.
A few months passed.
Once again, Eddie broached the subject of marriage to Linda.
“Linda, we’ve continued to see each other and, at least on
my part, I’m more in love with you now than I’ve ever been. I really can’t imagine life without you. Please marry me.”
“Eddie, I won’t go over the list again. We know what the issues are. I do love you and know that even in the
greatest relationships there are bound to be difficulties from time to
time. I just don’t want to feel like I’m
a burden to you.”
“That will never happen.
All the burdens I feel or will
ever feel are outside our relationship.”
“You need to be very traditional and ask my father for
permission to marry me. Will you do
that?”
“In a heartbeat.”
“I tell you what.
Thanksgiving is in two weeks. We
always have a small Thanksgiving dinner.
My parents and I are usually joined by one of my uncles and his wife and
one of my cousins. Could you possibly
come to dinner? After dinner, or perhaps
before dinner – no, after would be better – you could speak to my father.”
“That sounds wonderful.
We used to have a big Thanksgiving dinner with relatives from all
over. Then it gradually became more of a
business associates event. It hardly
seemed like a family event at all. Now,
it’s just another day pretty much. My
parents will probably even go up to the ski lodge. They don’t ski, but that’s where the business
contacts all congregate.”
Thanksgiving dinner at the Miller’s was everything Eddie
imagined it could be. Linda’s relatives
were just as down-to-earth and warm as her parents. After dinner, Linda, her mom, and the
relatives all went in to share stories.
Eddie asked Linda’s father if he might meet with him. They went into the study, which looked just
like Eddie thought a study should like.
It was brimming with books and was cluttered. Mr. Miller even had to take some books off a
chair for Eddie to sit down.
“Mr. Miller, you probably know why I wanted to talk to
you. But first, I just wanted to say how
much I really appreciate the warmth and love you and Mrs. Miller have extended
to me since I began dating Linda.”
“Well Eddie, you’re a fine young man.”
“Mr. Miller, Linda and I have been considering this for a
long time. We’ve been dating for two
years you know. I asked her to marry me
three months ago but she put me off. I
asked her again two weeks ago and she said that I needed to speak to you
first.”
“That’s so like Linda, isn’t it? Eddie, I can’t imagine a more wonderful
son-in-law than you. I can also imagine
the things Linda has said to dissuade you.”
“She has her list of reasons.”
“Linda and her lists!
I’m not going to state the obvious.
You both know the differences between you two. I imagine Linda is worried that, at some
point, you will find her less appealing.
You’re an honorable person and would never do anything to disrespect
her, but she would know. My thinking is
that marriage is always risky. I’ve known people who seemed perfectly
compatible go their separate ways and others who seemed to be quite unsuited
for each other make a real go of it. You
do know that Linda can’t have children.”
“I’m aware of that, sir.”
“What’s so heartbreaking about that fact is that she loves
children so. She’d like ten of ‘em if
she could.”
“Sir, I know I can and will make Linda wonderful
husband. I don’t know how great a father
I’d be anyway.”
“Eddie, you and Linda are both fine people. I’ve noticed how you get along so well. You’re an ambitious young man, but you also
possess a great deal of patience. I see
your face light up when you come to the house.
The choice to marry you is Linda’s, but you both have my blessing. Just remember that marrying the person you love is the easy part. Loving the person you marry is the hard part, and the only part that really matters.”
“I know that, and you have no worries. I really appreciate your blessing, sir.
Linda’s the girl for me.”
Eddie immediately excused himself to go see Linda.
“Linda, we have you father’s blessing.”
“That’s great to hear.
Now, what about your parents?
They don’t like me, you know.
I’ve only been around the, a couple of times, but I got the message loud
and clear.”
“They don’t like you because they know we’ll have a
relationship they can never have. I love
them, but I don’t expect them to approve of our marriage. That really doesn’t bother me. I would actually be more troubled if they
did.”
“I really think we can make this work.”
The couple went back into the house and Linda’s father made
the announcement to the relatives. It
was a grand conclusion to a grand day.
Eddie then went home to an empty house. He told some of the staff his news and they
were delighted. When his parents
returned from their ski trip, he told them.
They weren’t delighted. Eddie
knew that from then on, even the shallow
relationship he had maintained with his parents would be diminished.
Linda and Eddie were married by a justice of the peace and
then participated in a small, religious wedding service at a chapel where Linda
and her parents were members. His
parents did not attend. They gave Linda and Eddie no wedding present.
During their first years of marriage, their lives followed
the path Linda had predicted. Eddie rose
in the business world and managed to make the social scene enough to keep his
name afloat. He often brought one of his
cousins along as an escort. Linda would
come to a few events, mainly dinner events where she didn’t have to socialize
much. What Linda didn’t understand was
how Eddie felt each day he returned home.
He couldn’t wait to get home.
They’d typically have a light supper and then go curl up with each other
and read to each other or watch a movie.
Sometimes, they’d go out to a movie, play, or concert.
Linda’s interest in plants prompted her to become active in the
local botanical society. She also became
a favorite story teller at the library and hospital. She had a full, rich life.
Twice a year, they’d take a trip. It was usually to a nature preserve. Linda didn’t care for big cities and tourist
destinations. Eddie saw enough of them
on business trips. He lover their trips
as much as Linda did.
Linda was also right about the fact that women would
constantly make a play for Eddie. When
his cousin married, she no longer accompanied him to social events. Women saw this as a sign that they could move
in. Eddie found most to be repulsively
mercenary. But, just as Linda predicted,
there were a few whom Eddie found most attractive and likable. However, he always managed to rebuff their
advances most graciously. He even took
taunts that he was gay with no malice.
Taunts concerning Linda hurt more deeply, but he would always take a
look at the person making the taunts and realize how lucky he was.
A major promotion at the company where Eddie had worked for
fifteen years coincided with his and Linda’s twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.
“Linda, what do you want to do for our anniversary?”
“I was sort of hoping we might go back to the place where we
spent our honeymoon.”
“My thoughts exactly, which is why I’ve set everything up. There
is, however, something we need to do.”
“And what might that be?”
“You know I’ve been promoted. Well, the company CEO, Cary Basil, and his
wife, want to have us over for dinner to celebrate. He doesn’t really care
about my promotion, but he knows it’s the thing that’s expected of him. Then, there’s going to be this big reception
for me a week later. Our actually
anniversary falls right in between these two events, so we’ll have to delay our
second honeymoon about two weeks. I know
how excruciatingly painful both of these events will be for you, but if you
could manage to put on a good show, I’d be most grateful.”
“Well, you know for a fact, that I won’t put on a show for
anyone. Of course, I’ll be gracious and
as charming as I can manage to be.
You’ve really been good all these years about not expecting me to go to
many events. It will be fine.”
The dinner at the Basil’s went as Eddie and Linda expected
it to. No one at the company really had
kind words for Cary Basil. He had been
brought in as a hatchet man and was very successful in his mission. Scratch his
thin veneer of gentility and one would find a viper. His wife, made from the same mold,
continuously threw barbs at Linda throughout the evening, but Linda managed to
throw them off with poise. After a
superficially amiable evening, Eddie and Linda said good night to their hosts
and immediately went to a little diner they like for a burger and a shake.
Eddie and Linda had a wonderful time on their second
honeymoon. The following three years
were upset only by the death of Linda’s father.
Eddie’s father had died over ten years before but that event was a mere
blip in their lives. Linda’s father
would be truly missed. Her mother went
to live in a retirement center nearby.
Linda received much recognition for her work on behalf of the botanical
garden and her work with children. Two
banquets were held in her honor. Eddie
became quite amused at the fact that one of the banquets was held in the very
same place as a banquet he had been to the previous week. The setup of the room was the same. The food was the same. But the atmosphere of the two banquets could
not have been more different. While he
still loved social events, the banquets honoring Linda were definitely more
enjoyable and memorable.
Linda began having headaches. At first, she shrugged them off. But then, they started to be so severe that
she went to the doctor. He had some
tests run. A malignant tumor was found
in her brain. Further tests revealed
that the cancer cells had metastasized into other portions of her body. Except for the headaches, however, she felt
fine. The tumor was removed and she
began cancer treatment. Eddie decided it
was time for him to retire to be with Linda.
They travelled as much as they could.
However, Linda reached a point where she couldn’t tolerate the trips and
became home bound.
Despite her illness, the same feeling of joy and
anticipation that came over Eddie as he approached their house continued in
him. Of course, he agonized over her
gradual decline. Their favorite pastimes
remained curling up together and reading to each other and watching
movies. They still went out when she was
up to it. One night, they said goodnight
to each other and Linda never awoke.
Eddie took Linda’s death hard. But then, as he was looking through her
things, he discovered several scrapbooks she’d compiled over the years. Some of them were comical and featured
clippings of all of his business activities and all the social events he has
attended. Some were filled with copies
of their favorite poems and readings from books. One special book was a series of “letters”
Linda wrote to Eddie and to others over the years. They were attended for Eddie’s eyes only. There was enough material to see him through
his grief. He never tired of revisiting
them, especially the letters.
One letter was especially poignant. It was dated two weeks before her death:
My dear Eddie,
I want to thank you
for all you have done for me, not just in the last few years, but for our
entire lives together. I’ll be going
soon, I know. It’s funny. I’ve never told you this before, but the
first time I laid eyes on you, I said to myself, there’s the man of my dreams! But he’s so worldly and handsome, he won’t
give me a second look. Even though I
kept putting off any commitment we might
make to each other-- the hardest thing I have ever done, by the way—I could see
in your eyes how much delight I gave you just by being who I was. You not only gave me a second look, you never
took your eyes off me for over thirty years.
Eddie, I hope you will find someone else to love after I’m
gone. It won’t be the same.
I know, however, that over the years there were most likely some women
that you found appealing. Knowing you,
you won’t settle for anything other than the one that makes your heart
sing. You probably won’t spend your time
together reading poetry to each other and enacting sections of novels and
plays. There will be something else that
will be your harbor of love. Embrace
it. We had our time together, and it
cannot be duplicated.
Finally, my dear.
Forgive your parents. They
weren’t perfect and didn’t have lives that were especially happy. They made you. And for that, they always had a special place
in my heart. Take flowers to their
graves and love them the way they could never love you, or each other.
Say hello to the children for me when you seem them. And don’t forget to water the plants!
All my love and all my heart,
Linda
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