After he left Mrs.Siegal cocked her head to the side with a small smile, she looked at Shirley. “What a nice boy, I always liked him and he’s better looking than ever.”
Shirley sighed. “Yeah Mom, I know.”
The next day in school, when a crowd gathered in the assembly hall, their eyes met for a moment but neither of them gave any indication of the day before. He looked her way and turned away when she glanced at him without any recognition. They also saw each other briefly at the prom and graduation a week later without speaking another word or offering any other recognition.
Chapter 12
The Monday after the fourth of July, Ben drove Shirley, Doris and Molly to Champaign-Urbana. They planned to check out the University of Illinois campus and arrange for Shirley’s housing for the coming semester. Registration was still six weeks away, but Shirley had received her acceptance letter in June and on Doris’s advice, it was decided that it would be wise to make arrangements early.
The family had been there twice before. The first time was when Doris enrolled and two years ago at her graduation. As they approached the vaguely familiar campus, Shirley leaned forward, her face almost out the window with wide open eyes and turning to see all the sights. Next to her Doris directed her attention to sights along with comments and memories of her college days.
“This is Greek Street, it has the best sorority and frat houses,” Doris said as they entered a long avenue of peaked two-and three-story buildings. Small shrubbery and ragged lawns with big open porches fronted large old houses with flags sporting Greek letters hung over the entrances. An assortment of old bikes, arranged haphazardly in racks, stood near the steps. Young men in shirt sleeves and cotton pants, and women in summer frocks or light blouses and cotton skirts, were walking and riding bicycles in all directions. Almost all were carrying books.
“Oh, please stop, Daddy, and park by SDT; we can go in and I’ll show you my old room,” Doris said, using a little girl voice and pointing to a large grey stucco home down the street.
Ben laughed. “Okay, okay; it’s that light colored one over there, isn’t it?” he said pointing his cigar at the house. .
Nodding agreement, Doris leaned out the window almost shouting, “C’mon Shirley, you too, Mom and Dad; I want to say hello to Mrs. Mason, the house mother, and introduce Shirley,”
As they got out of the car, two girls in shorts and white tennis shoes, sitting with their feet propped up on the short dark wooden fence surrounding the porch, jumped up and rushed to greet Doris.
“Hi, Sandy, did I hear right, that you’re the president of Sigma Delta Tau this year?” Doris said, hugging the tall, dark-haired girl with braids. “I see you’re taking courses this summer.”
“Yeah, me and Jackie are taking two education courses and hope to graduate early next spring,” she replied as the other girl, a tiny redhead in shorts, rushed to kiss Doris’s cheek.
“This is my sister Shirley. She’s a freshman and is gonna’ live in the dorm this year.”
“Hi,” Shirley said, smiling and offering a small wave as she bent to adjust the cuff on her jeans.
“Oh, terrific,” Jackie smiled back. “Be sure to let us know when you get here. Once the girls know you’re Doris’ sister I’m sure they’ll want to invite you to our rush.”
Shirley’s face brightened. “Really? Oh I’d love that.”
Mrs. Siegal, fussing with wrinkles in her light-colored slacks, stood next to her husband, holding his arm and smiling as she watched the girls. Arms folded, holding his cigar, Ben beamed.
“C’mon, Mom and Dad, meet Jackie Bernstein and Sandy Kaplan; they were pledges the year I graduated. Now they’re seniors.”
Doris guided Shirley and her folks into the house where they met a few other girls but didn’t get to see Mrs. Mason, who was out. Doris left a note, mentioning Shirley would be by to introduce herself in the fall.
The next stop was the Student Union. They had lunch in the large cafeteria and Doris gave them a short tour of the building. Everywhere they went, Doris greeted girls and boys whom she knew. Walking slowly and constantly turning to see students and what he thought were teachers, Ben shook his head. “I thought it was vacation time, what are all these people doing here?”
Doris chuckled, “It’s because there’s so many vets on the GI Bill and their wives or girlfriends who are in a hurry to graduate. They all want to go to school full-time. “
Ben nodded. “Humph, makes sense.”
“That’s partly how I graduated in just over three years, you know,” said Doris. “Doubling up on classes and going to summer school.”
The balance of the day, they toured the campus, Doris pointing out the Business, Liberal Arts, Law, Gymnasium and several other schools and buildings. The last stop was at a female dormitory where they made arrangements for Shirley to arrive in September.
For dinner, Doris insisted they go to Palumbo’s, her sorority’s’ favorite pizza place. “You’ll love it. Hardly a day went by without some of the girls ordering a pizza from there,” she explained.
In the morning Doris took them to the campus book store. Shirley bought an Illini pennant and an orange and blue coffee mug. Mrs. Siegal got a small ash tray with an Illini logo for her kitchen at home.
They returned to Chicago a little after eight. The phone was ringing, with Howie wanting to speak to Shirley.
The balance of the summer Shirley spent most of her time with her girlfriends at Foster Beach, or shopping with her Mother during the day. She saw Howie three or four nights a week, going to movies or dinners and dates with their friends. Howie persisted in trying to get her to change her mind about school and marrying him, but she resisted, begging him to give her a chance.
On Friday of the second week in August, she and Howie had gone to a late movie at the Uptown and parked afterward near the rocks at the entrance to the Harbor at Montrose Beach. It was a warm night with a mild breeze coming off the water. Families and couples were sitting on blankets scattered over the grassy incline leading to the water. Soft conversations mixed with occasional shouts and radio music filled the air. After a short walk to the water to watch the boats navigating the harbor, they returned to the car. He put the top up and they rolled up the windows for privacy. She took his hand and kissed it, pulling him to her. He resisted, taking his hand away and gripping the wheel.
“Howie, I love you,” she whispered. “Please trust me, my folks and I have dreamed about me going to college like they never could. I don’t want to disappoint them.”
“What about me? Don’t I count?” he said glumly.
“Champaign isn’t so far away; you can come down to visit and I’ll come home some weekends.”
“That’s bull,” he said, pulling away as he flipped his cigarette out the small triangular window vent and faced straight ahead.
“Please, Howie, don’t be mad; I love you and I want you,” she sighed, tickling his ear. Her other hand moved to his lap and caressed him.
She could feel him tense as a tight smile spread on his face. She continued moving her hand, applying some pressure while running the fingers of her other hand through his hair.
He maneuvered her around so he was able to reach under her skirt. Kissing her roughly, he pulled back smiling; she was not wearing underpants.
He quickly undid his zipper and slid under her.
“Oh, I love you, baby,” she growled, lowering onto him.
He moaned softly as she increased her tempo until he gasped a long soft “Aaaah!” Slowly, she ceased rocking, continuing to kiss him, gently whispering, “I love you. I love you, Howard Rabin.”
The ride home was quiet. She tried to snuggle close, but he pulled away, saying, “Not tonight; I don’t feel so good.”
Sliding to the side, she lit a cigarette. “C’mon, Howie, I can’t sta
nd to see you this way.”
He didn’t answer, but turned the radio louder to pick up a Frankie Lane song.
After a fast kiss good night in the hallway, he quickly exited.
Over coffee the next morning Shirley told her Mother she had second thoughts about going away.
“Maybe I can go to school in the city, at Navy Pier or Roosevelt. Then I won’t have to leave Howie.”
Mrs. Siegal, pursed her lips, trying to form her words carefully. “Look, Shirley, if you’re ready, at your age, to rush into something as important as marriage, your father and I are going to be very disappointed. We’ve asked you to give school a year and now you’re ready to throw it away.”
“Oh Mom, I know, but I love him.”
“I don’t want to be around when you tell your father. He’ll have a fit.”
That afternoon, she called Howie and asked him to pick her up in the evening so they could talk. Reluctantly, he agreed and she met him downstairs at seven-thirty.
When he pulled up to the curb, she quickly jumped in the convertible. “Just drive,” she said quietly. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah I’m okay. I can take care of myself.”
“Please, Howie, I know you’re upset, but can’t we try?”
“I don’t wanta talk right now. I got things to do. You do your thing and I’ll do mine and maybe we’ll talk in a few days.”
“Can’t we go somewhere for a sandwich and talk?” she pleaded.
Shaking his head and gritting his teeth, he pulled into the Pie Pan parking lot and cut the motor. Not looking at her, he kept his hands on the steering wheel.
She leaned against the door. “Are we going in?”
He didn’t answer. It got very quiet, except for the street traffic and cars parking or pulling out of the lot.
Finally shifting and looking at him, she said quietly, “Howie, please listen. I have to do this and don’t want you to be angry.”
Turning on her, he sneered. “How can you say that? I thought you loved me and wanted to get married. Instead, you decided to please your parents and go away to school. You’re nothing but a spoiled little rich girl.”
“You don’t understand! If I don’t try Champaign, they’ll never forgive me and they’ll blame you. I don’t want that to happen.”
“And you expect me to just twiddle my fingers and wait around for my little school girl. That’s a lotta bull, and I ain’t gonna’ do it. You’re gonna’ be sorry for this.”
She burst into tears. “Please, Howie, I have to leave the day after Labor Day and I don’t want to go with you feeling like this. I promise, I’ll call you every few days.”
Starting to say something, he looked over at her and then stopped. Beginning again, he said quietly, but firmly, “look baby, I’m not going to promise you anything, but just let me know where and when I can reach you as soon as you get settled. We’ll just have to see what happens. In the meantime, I don’t like this and don’t know how I’ll feel with you so far away.”
Slumping back in the seat, she answered very softly, “thank you, Howie. I love you and I know we’ll make this work.”
Turning the key, he began driving. She sat quietly sniffling. When they reached her building, he leaned across and opened her door, saying, “Don’t say anything; just get out.”
Holding a tissue to her eyes, she slipped out and turned back at the entrance to watch him pull away.
Lighting a cigarette, he drove to the Green Mill Lounge on Broadway. Entering, he waited as his eyes adjusted to the dim light till he could make out the dusky green walls and carpet, visible through the smoke filled room. A three piece combo, behind the ten by ten parquet dance floor, was playing a soft jazzy version of the “St. Louis Blues.” Shuffling around on the dance floor was a short older guy with a taller, plump, grey-haired woman glued to him. Four men and two women were on stools at the bar, ignoring the dancers.
Howie tossed his cigarettes on the bar and ordered a seven and seven. Nursing the drink and smoking, he looked around for someone familiar in the curved booths along both walls. Peggy, a baby-faced blonde hooker, he’d been introduced to, by Paschey two months before, was there. She crossed her shapely legs while balancing a black patent leather high heeled shoe on her toe. Leaning into a bald-headed guy in a seersucker suit, she sipped her drink and blew Howie a kiss, then turned to whisper something to the seersucker guy. Howie caught her looking again and raised his arm, pointing to his watch. Her response was raised eyebrows, showing him her open palms and turning away..
Getting up, he walked over, saying, “Hi Babe,’ and moved closer to her, ignoring the seersucker guy Sliding out of the booth, the small man looked up at Howie towering over him and started to say something. Howie turned abruptly and stared him down. The bartender, wiping the bar looked up and started to move toward them while the people sitting nearby watched. The little man slouched back into the booth and looked away. Wiping his hands on a towel, the bartender breathed a sigh of relief.
Taking Peggy’s arm, Howie led her to where he was sitting at the bar. Keeping his eyes on the three of them, the bartender quickly poured her a drink. Her bald friend threw a couple of dollars on the table and hurried toward the exit.
Howie, without saying a word, ran his hand over the back of the slippery white and black fabric of her shiny, summer-weight dress.
“You like that, don’t you?” he said, cracking a smile.
“You gotta lotta nerve Howie; that guy is a regular and he’s good for a ten buck tip.” She frowned.
“You must be getting pretty good,” he chuckled.
“Well I guess so; you keep comin’ back,” she said, still scowling.
“Yeah, but I’m not some square john,” he said smirking.
Peggy looked down, her bottom lip protruding and her thick black lashes fluttering as she sat silently.
“Hey, don’t get mad, you know I’m Paschey’s guy and if you get any guff from anyone let me know and I’ll square it for you. Now c’mon, baby, we’re gonna have some fun tonight. In fact, we’ll make it an all-nighter; I need to be with someone who appreciates me.”
Looking up, starting to smile, she punched his arm. “You’re a real bastard, but you are fun, and I’m tellin’ you now, you better take me someplace nice for dinner.”
“Now you’re talking; maybe you’ll even show me a few new tricks later.”
“Oh for cryin’ out loud, behave yourself. Let’s get outta here.”
“Sure, Baby,” he said, throwing some bills on the bar and fondling her behind as he escorted her to the door.
Shirley arrived in Champaign about noon the day after Labor Day. She had not heard from Howie for over a week. Ben and Molly helped her unpack and waited as she settled in her dorm. Her roommate had not arrived, but after forty minutes, she insisted her folks let her be on her own to meet the other girls. Reluctantly, the Siegals agreed, but didn’t leave until Ben slipped her an envelope with fifty one dollar bills.
“Mad money,” he whispered with a wink.
She giggled, kissing his cheek. Molly smiled giving her one last hug and took Ben’s arm as they backed out of the room into the cluttered hallway.
The following day Shirley called and luckily caught Howie, wanting to give him her address and the telephone number of the phone in the hall near her room; promising to be available ever day between four and six p.m. She didn’t hear from him for two weeks.
Hesitating to call him long distance, but finally relenting, she left a message with his mother. Five days later, on the twentieth of September, she awoke nauseated and threw up. Her roommate was in the bathroom at the same time and laughed, kidding her that she probably was pregnant. Shirley managed a smile and mouthed “Screw you” to her.
The remainder of the day, she rushed between classes and stop
ped once to get some toast in the cafeteria to calm her nausea. The following morning, she was sick to her stomach again and wracked her brain trying to remember exactly when she had her last period, wondering if she could possibly be pregnant. So much had been going on the last few weeks at home and now at school she couldn’t believe she had been careless.
At four o’clock that afternoon, she went to the student union and stood in line for a telephone booth. Howie answered on the third ring. “Howie, get here tonight; I’ve got to see you,” she said.
”What the—“ he said before she cut him off. “Be here,” she shrieked, and hung up.
He arrived at nine thirty and found her waiting in the lobby of the dormitory. Seeing him, she ran, throwing her arms around his neck and immediately began crying uncontrollably. “Thank you, I knew you’d come. I’ve been waiting here since eight.”
“Easy, Baby,” he comforted her. “I’m here, so don’t worry; everything is gonna’ be alright.”
“C’mon, let’s get out of here before curfew,” she whimpered, looking around to see if anyone was watching. Most of the couches surrounding the lobby were occupied by couples, either holding hands or in various stages of embrace and too busy with their own last few minutes together before the dorm closed down to visitors, for the night.
The buxom female desk attendant cautioned her as she left, “Watch the time, young lady, we close the door at ten thirty.”
Waving, Shirley called out, “Don’t worry, I’ll be right back,” and slipped out the door as a group that had been gathered outside was entering.
In the car, she dried her eyes and lit a cigarette, directing him off campus to a small local tavern with dark painted windows and a neon sign advertising Budweiser. Inside it was dark with only a few low lights. The wood floor creaked as they entered. Bent over drinks at the bar were a middle aged couple and two men in overalls. Shirley led Howie through a smoke-filled haze in front of the bar to a booth in the back away from the jukebox. Sitting across from her, he took her hand.
Albany Park Page 18
