One Saturday shortly after the start of the New Year, Howie, wearing a black Chesterfield topcoat, was waiting for Shirley in the Siegal parlor. He sat down after shaking hands with Ben, who was reading the paper in his easy chair.
“How’s everything, Mr. Siegal?”
“Fine, Howie, how ‘bout you? Things good in the loan business?”
“Oh yeah, things are good.”
Looking up, Ben with a hand cupping his jaw asked, “Do you specialize in certain types of loans, like mortgages or auto loans, or just what type of loans do you make?”
Howie on the couch still wearing his coat, leaned forward, avoiding the puffy cushion behind him. “We make small, short-term loans to businessmen that don’t have bank connections,” he replied casually. “A lot of our customers are from around here and the Northwest and West Sides. I’m sure you know that Jews aren’t so welcome at the goyishe banks. So we try to fill the need. All I know is, business is good and I expect to be a partner in the not-too-distant future.” Ben accepted the answer, nodding as he thought about Howie’s reply and decided he didn’t like where it might lead. Later, he confided in Molly, “being a bookie isn’t such a great job for a young guy who claims he has so much ambition.”
Shirley, by this time, was in her final semester at Von Steuben and appeared happy with him, but Ben remained concerned. He suspected Howie was already talking marriage. He and Molly however, had been saving for years to send Shirley downstate to the University of Illinois, where the two of them hoped she’d meet a college man with a bright future.
On a Sunday morning, the week before Memorial Day, Ben picked up lox and bagels along with a newspaper at Korb’s. He and Molly were having breakfast when Shirley appeared at the kitchen table at eleven in her shorty pajamas..
“Umm, lox and bagels,” she said licking her lips, then filling a cup with coffee and popping a bagel in the toaster.
Molly, handing her a napkin, slid the plate with tomatoes, cucumbers and onions in her direction, saying, “Here, have some cream cheese too.”
Gingerly grabbing the hot bagel from the toaster, Shirley busied herself fixing an open-faced sandwich.
Sitting down, she made a short clicking sound with her tongue.. “I gotta tell you something,” she said taking a bite of her sandwich and pausing, “last night, Howie took me to the Empire Room for dinner and asked me to marry him.”
Ben put down the paper and took off his glasses, looking somewhat startled. “Married? What about school?”
“Oh Daddy, I graduate in June.”
Molly, her right hand at her mouth, steadied herself holding onto a chair.
“No, I mean school downstate. Don’t you want to get a degree in design?” Ben said, drawing his lips into a tight line.
“Well, yeah, but I don’t know, maybe getting married is better.”
“Oh, Shirley,” Molly sighed, “we’ve talked and dreamed about you going to college for years. I thought you couldn’t wait.”
“But that was before. Now, I don’t know what I should do. I think I love Howie and I don’t want him to find someone else.”
Ben jumped up. “You think you love him? Look honey, I think you’re being too hasty, making up your mind so quickly. Thinking you love him isn’t enough.”
“I know Daddy, but I’m almost eighteen.”
“Look, Baby, eighteen is very young to get married. Don’t you want to wait awhile? You’ve only known Howie since last summer and now you want to get married,” Ben pleaded. “And how much do you really know about how he earns his living? I’ve heard a few things about the guy he works for that bother me. Don’t you think you should let me try to find out a bit more?”
“I know I’m young and I did really want to find out what it’s like to go to college. I know Doris loved it,” she said, watching her mother’s face crumple.
Ben set his jaw and glared at her.
She returned his look, pursing her lips. ”Look, Daddy, As far as his work, I trust him. I know he works hard and maybe gambles a little, but I’m sure he wouldn’t do anything I’d have to worry about.”
Molly rubbed her eyes while the room became very quiet.
Ben sipped his coffee, watching Shirley. She looked down and nibbled a small bite of her bagel.
Clearing his throat, Ben reached out, covering her hand with his.
“Shirley, why don’t you think about this; you don’t have to make a decision this minute. If I were you, though, I think I would want to go downstate. If, after a year, you still want to marry Howie, then it’s okay with me. I’m sure Mom agrees.”
“But what about Howie?” Shirley whined, looking down.
Molly spoke up, “If he loves you, he’ll wait. After all, he’s only a few years older than you and I’m sure he wants you to be happy.”
“Oh Mom, I would like to go to school. Let me think about it.”
The following Wednesday after seeing a movie, Howie parked in front of her building. Sitting next to him Shirley turned his way, tucking her lower lip against her teeth and sighed.
“I know you’re not gonna like this, but I decided this week to go to Champaign for a year,” she mumbled and then looked straight ahead.
“”What?” he shouted. “I don’t believe it! What am I supposed to do while you’re down there playing with all those pansy college boys.”
“It’s only going to be for a year. My folks want me to go and I would like to try it. We can get married next year.”
“Cut this crap out Shirley; we’ve been talking about getting married for months and now you’re springing this on me?”
“Howie! Please listen.”
“Screw that; you know, two can play this game. There’s plenty of other broads that will jump at the chance to marry me,” he said gripping the steering wheel firmly.
Sitting quietly she could see he was seething, ready to explode. Holding her hand up she started to say something and then stopped and waited.
Slamming his hand on the wheel, he wouldn’t look at her.
Shaking her head she opened the door and slowly got out, then leaned back in.
“Please, Howie, we’ve got the whole summer and Champaign is only a couple of hours away. Please, let’s talk tomorrow.”
Gunning the motor, her door slammed shut as he sped away.
Chapter 11
On a warm Wednesday afternoon in June, Vic, Sam Greenstein and Jim Vogel were lounging on the large landing facing Kimball at the south entrance to the school. The three of them were discussing their plans for the prom that weekend. Jim had asked Esther Leibowitz and Sam was going with Jean Michaelson. Vic, of course, was taking his girlfriend of four months, Darlene Silverman. Vic was going to drive the six of them in Frank’s new red Mercury Coupe and they were all meeting at Esther’s house to take pictures in their tuxedos and gowns. From there, they would go to the prom at the Belmont Hotel.
Sam had taken off his short sleeved sweater, which was folded neatly and set next to him on the wide wall near the stairs leading to the street. Jim and Vic had wet hair from showering after Gym, their last class of the day.
Sam scratched his head and scrunched up his face. “Don’t you think going to Chez Paree after the prom is gonna be too expensive?”
“Aw, c’mon, Sam, we talked about this before. You know it’s gonna cost a bundle, but how many times do you graduate?” kidded Jim, running a comb through his hair. “Even a place as fancy as the Chez can’t be more than thirty or thirty-five bucks.”
“And hey Vic,” Sam complained, “are you sure Flo said orchids for the corsages? Aren’t gardenias okay?”
“No,” Vic replied. “Trust me, my sister Flo knows, orchids are the way to go.” He meticulously rolled up the sleeves of his blue oxford cloth shirt, to just below his elbows, and wiped perspira
tion from his forehead, commenting, “Man, this weather is great. I bet it’s almost eighty degrees. I hope it’s nice for the prom, especially if we go for breakfast at the Boardwalk of the Edgewater Beach Hotel.
Sam, still thinking about money, shook his head, “How much you think the whole night will cost?”
“Hey, Sam, for cryin’ out loud, don’t worry,” Jim teased. “I asked around and everybody agrees that the most it’ll cost is about sixty, but that doesn’t include the tux and flowers.”
From above the stairway a loud bell sounded, signaling the end of a period. Sam winced at the shrill sound. Within a minute, doors opened and kids streamed out, crowding the landing.
Jim slipped off the wide ledge and called out, “c’mon, Sam, enough already. So what if it costs a few bucks? It’s a once in a lifetime deal. Let’s get goin’, I wanta stop for a hamburger at Cooper and Cooper.”
Heading down the stairs, Sam looked at Vic, “Are you sure about the orchids?”
Vic slapped him on the back. “Yeah, I’m sure big spender,” he said laughing.
With a wave, Vic dodged a few cars and headed across the street going west.
The sidewalk on Argyle was almost deserted and the trees above were filled with leaves, after a slow start in late April. To the left was the river and on the right were the stucco and brick bungalows on Bernard that looked unusual in this crowded neighborhood where most streets had only apartment buildings and two-or-three-flats. In front of each home were small lawns with bushes and parkways dotted with large blossoming oaks, elms and evergreens.
He spotted three little boys, in short pants, on the warm day, riding tricycles on the sidewalk. They were screeching and laughing, trying to bump each other as they sped along.
When he reached the bend in the street at Drake, he noticed Shirley Siegal a short distance ahead. He could easily tell it was her because of the unmistakable, slight pigeon-toed walk which made her hips sway in a provocative way. Clutching her books across her chest, she moved slowly down the sidewalk. His first reaction was to turn in another direction. They hadn’t spoken in the three years since their bitter breakup.
But then, without thinking, his pace quickened and he found himself coming up behind her. She hadn’t heard him and kept walking at the same leisurely pace along the deserted sidewalk. He noticed how great she looked, wearing a lightweight, soft grey sweater and charcoal slacks that fit her without a wrinkle. Drawing closer, he saw the curve of her buttocks under the tight fitting pants and couldn’t help smiling as remembered how he always teased her about her cute behind.
He touched her shoulder. Startled, she turned abruptly. Then, seeing him, she smiled, rapidly lowering her glance. Vic returned the smile, softly saying, “Hi”.
As he came alongside, she whispered, “Hi,” looking directly at him.
Shirley had blossomed into a beautiful woman. Her brown eyes, accentuated with makeup, sparkled under her short curly hair forming a dark frame to her face. The little bump on her nose was no longer as pronounced but made her appear sexier than ever. He hadn’t been this close to her in a long time and he could feel a rush of color coming to his face.
Vic had matured as well. He was taller and had much broader shoulders, though he remained slim. The cleft in his chin and the dimples, enhanced by the slight shadow of his smoothly shaved face, made him appear years older.
“How are you?” he asked.
She, smiling more brightly, answered, “Good, and what about you?” For a moment they walked in silence, broken when Shirley looked at him and said “God, it’s hard to believe that you keep getting more handsome.”
A barking dog raced toward them, followed by a young blonde boy with a crew cut, pursuing him, trailing a leash. Moving aside, they watched and smiled.
Looking at her again, he laughed, saying “Didn’t I always tell you that you had good taste in men? By the way, you look great too, and in case you want to know, walking behind you, I noticed you still have the best tush of any girl at Von Steuben.”
A quick laugh escaped her lips as her face turned crimson. Walking slower, she bumped into him at her side. Quickly recovering, she looked away, “I hear you have a new girlfriend and really like her. Is it serious?”
“Well, maybe” he replied, “but what about you? I hear you’re going with an older guy who wants to marry you.”
“He treats me like a princess. I know he would do anything to make me happy.”
Their pace slowed as they talked and smiled. Vic felt a stirring in his crotch, making it difficult to concentrate. He knew he should leave right then, but he couldn’t.
“I heard she’s very pretty and that since you met her you haven’t dated anyone else.”
“Well, let’s just say, I like her a lot and I’ve been pretty busy, so I haven’t had time to go out with other girls,” he answered. “And what about you, I understand he graduated from Von a few years ago and is a very sharp guy.”
“Yeah, you heard right. But what about you, I thought you had been going out with lots of girls until you met this one,” she teased.
“Like I said, talk to me a year from now,” he said, smiling and looking away.
She wanted to go on like this forever and he could tell by the way she was looking at him; she wanted to do more than talk. The flush of color on her face and the intimate way they had softly bumped a few times as they walked made him want to reach out and hold her hand.
Approaching the entrance to Shirley’s building, they continued chatting and he held the door for her. Once inside, she turned, her books clattering to the floor, and opened her arms to him as he held her face in his cupped hands, kissing her lightly. She held on and then put her arms around him and pulled him closer. He responded, gripping her tightly and opening his lips to her in a passionate kiss.
The familiar embrace was too much. He kissed her on the neck and then her ear and she hung on tighter, whispering, “Oh, Victor, I can’t control myself around you. I can already feel my panties getting wet.”
Breaking away, he picked up the books, and before he could hand them to her, she took his hand and led him up the stairs. At the door to her apartment, he stopped and kissed her again. Inside it was deathly quiet. She pulled him in and began tearing at his clothes; he helped her as they awkwardly fell to the floor. Kissing with a fierce passion, he peeled off her sweater. She sighed loudly, removing her slacks and panties in one motion as he busied himself discarding his clothing. Pulling her closer she moaned as he hovered above her, pushing his hardness into her gyrating hips in a rocking motion. Entering her slowly, with two deep thrusts, he pulled out quickly to fumble for his wallet.
“Don’t worry” she whispered, “I’ve got my diaphragm in from last night.”
He quickly entered her again as they clung tightly, making love to a gasping climax.
Lying on the floor, spent and partially clothed, he looked at her, a small crooked smile starting, and said, “You know, this wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“Oh, shut up” she answered, trying to hold back her own smile. “You know I love you and can’t resist you. I’ve missed you, Victor. I don’t think I will ever be able to love anyone like I love you.”
Kissing her gently this time, he said, “Shirley, I’ve thought about you, too. It hasn’t been easy for me these last few years. Seeing you all the time and pretending you’re not there. Dammit, you confuse me. I’m afraid of you.”
“Look at us,” she giggled, looking at herself still wearing her bra and over at him in his half-buttoned shirt. As she picked up her panties and handed him his pants, they both laughed.
Tugging on their clothes, they touched, kissed and hugged each other. She noticed how his eyes focused on her and how gently he slowly caressed her arm. His voice was also more mature. At the same time, he was hypnotized by her soft lips and fam
iliar fragrance that had always elicited such a strong attraction to her. Neither of them mentioned what had happened at the beginning of their sophomore year.
Buttoning his shirt, he began feeling uncomfortable and awkward, wanting to escape. It was hard to ignore what he had been through with her three years ago. At the same time, he couldn’t help how being with her was so natural and satisfying. He always found her attractive, but now she was a beautiful woman and he was a man who understood that they had not just made love. It was more than that.
Slowly they stood and finished dressing, Vic smiling sheepishly, cleared his throat and stuffed his hands in his pockets, then softly asking, “how’s your mother; I was always crazy about her.”
Smoothing her clothes, Shirley’s eyes sparkled and a broad smile crossed her face. “You were her favorite. Of all the boys I went out with, she always asks me about you. Once in awhile when I’m around and she bakes, she laughs and says, “Remember how Victor loved my mondell bread?” My sister Doris loved you too. You remember her, she went to school with your brother and used to tease me about you all the time, especially when we were still in grade school. She’s married now to Jerry Saltzman, he went to school with them. How about you, how are your sisters and brother?”
Before he could answer, Shirley’s mother came in, wearing a pair of light tan slacks with a matching cashmere sweater, her hair styled the same as Shirley’s. She looked more like her older sister than her mother.
“Well, it’s nice to see you again Victor. We’ve missed you. How is your family?” she inquired, softly touching his arm.
“Good, Mrs. Siegal,” he answered with a broad smile and briefly explained that his folks were fine and that his older sister was getting married. When she asked if he wanted to stay for dinner, he begged off and said it was time for him to leave. Shirley walked him to the door and he kissed her cheek lightly and waved as he said good-by to her mother.
Albany Park Page 17
