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Authors: Cynthia Freeman
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open Martin’s eyes to the real world, but deliberate or not, Dominic had. And in return he earned Martin’s unconditional friendship. The confusion and uncertainty which Martin had brought to Yale seemed to have disappeared.
By the time Martin went home in June, he felt confident of who he was and what goals he wished to pursue. The problem was that his parents had sent away a boy and were not prepared to have him return a man.
Bess in particular was upset by the change. She couldn’t lay a finger on it except to note that Martin was no longer amenable to her various social suggestions. If she had been willing to probe deeper, she might have recognized and even admired the extent of her son’s maturity, but as it was she only saw that he rebelled against her arrangements for his summer, particularly as they involved Sylvia Lowenthal, the daughter of their long-time family friends.
Almost the moment Martin arrived home Bess began, “Oh, Martin, darling, Mrs. Lowenthal and I have so many wonderful plans for you this summer.”
“I’m not going to have much time. Mother. I want to spend the next few months working on my sociology project for next year. That’s my only priority.”
“Well, dear, you can’t just bury your head in books. Besides, you’ve done so well this year, why should you spend your summer ” Because I have a lot of catching up to do. I really wish you would check with me before you make any plans. “
Bess looked puzzled.
“Martin, dear, I have the distinct feeling we’re arguing.”
“Look, I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. The point is I’ve already made other arrangements. I mean this weekend …”
“Well, that puts me in a bit of an awkward position, Martin.”
“Really? Why?”
“I asked Sylvia to keep Saturday night free so that you could escort her to the country club dance. I was sure you’d be delighted.”
He looked at his mother not knowing whether to laugh or scream. She knew that he’d be delighted? Imagine.
“Mother, I really just don’t feel like going.”
Bess looked wounded.
“What am I going to say to the Lowenthals? This is just dreadful. I’m sure that Sylvia could have made other plans.
Now you’re standing her up. “
This time he did laugh. The whole thing was ridiculous.
“Since I didn’t ask her, I can’t stand her up. It’s you who have the problem.”
She smiled.
“I suppose you’re right. I guess I should have asked you first. But, darling, I truly thought you would want to take Sylvia.
It’s been three years since you’ve seen each other, with her being away at school in Switzerland. She’s really grown quite lovely. ” She paused for a long moment, giving Martin time to dwell upon that, then added, ” Do this for me, Martin. “
He looked at his mother and hesitated. She really looked so vulnerable and he did love her. Besides, it was such a small request.
“All right.
But please do me a favour. “
“Of course, dear, anything.”
“From now on let me do the asking.”
“Yes, dear, of course.”
The country club hadn’t changed in fifty years. Same red damask sofas and chairs. Maybe the draperies were more faded. Going away seemed to have made him notice all sorts of things he had previously ignored.
Begrudgingly, though, he had to admit that, by God, Sylvia had changed. Without the braces, the horned-rimmed glasses, and the smell of horses which, he remembered, was an ever-present aroma since so much of her time had been spent riding, she was indeed lovely. And he might have been completely bowled over if she hadn’t kept saying, “You’re stepping on my toes. Your feet were always much too big for you, Martin.”
At least she didn’t say it was his head.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, Sylvia.”
“And for heaven’s sake, don’t keep saying you’re sorry. It’s so irritating.”
“I’m sorry … I mean I’m sorry I said I was sorry. Would you rather not dance?”
“I
By the time Martin went home in June, he felt confident of who he was and what goals he wished to pursue. The problem was that his parents had sent away a boy and were not prepared to have him return a man.
Bess in particular was upset by the change. She couldn’t lay a finger on it except to note that Martin was no longer amenable to her various social suggestions. If she had been willing to probe deeper, she might have recognized and even admired the extent of her son’s maturity, but as it was she only saw that he rebelled against her arrangements for his summer, particularly as they involved Sylvia Lowenthal, the daughter of their long-time family friends.
Almost the moment Martin arrived home Bess began, “Oh, Martin, darling, Mrs. Lowenthal and I have so many wonderful plans for you this summer.”
“I’m not going to have much time. Mother. I want to spend the next few months working on my sociology project for next year. That’s my only priority.”
“Well, dear, you can’t just bury your head in books. Besides, you’ve done so well this year, why should you spend your summer ” Because I have a lot of catching up to do. I really wish you would check with me before you make any plans. “
Bess looked puzzled.
“Martin, dear, I have the distinct feeling we’re arguing.”
“Look, I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. The point is I’ve already made other arrangements. I mean this weekend …”
“Well, that puts me in a bit of an awkward position, Martin.”
“Really? Why?”
“I asked Sylvia to keep Saturday night free so that you could escort her to the country club dance. I was sure you’d be delighted.”
He looked at his mother not knowing whether to laugh or scream. She knew that he’d be delighted? Imagine.
“Mother, I really just don’t feel like going.”
Bess looked wounded.
“What am I going to say to the Lowenthals? This is just dreadful. I’m sure that Sylvia could have made other plans.
Now you’re standing her up. “
This time he did laugh. The whole thing was ridiculous.
“Since I didn’t ask her, I can’t stand her up. It’s you who have the problem.”
She smiled.
“I suppose you’re right. I guess I should have asked you first. But, darling, I truly thought you would want to take Sylvia.
It’s been three years since you’ve seen each other, with her being away at school in Switzerland. She’s really grown quite lovely. ” She paused for a long moment, giving Martin time to dwell upon that, then added, ” Do this for me, Martin. “
He looked at his mother and hesitated. She really looked so vulnerable and he did love her. Besides, it was such a small request.
“All right.
But please do me a favour. “
“Of course, dear, anything.”
“From now on let me do the asking.”
“Yes, dear, of course.”
The country club hadn’t changed in fifty years. Same red damask sofas and chairs. Maybe the draperies were more faded. Going away seemed to have made him notice all sorts of things he had previously ignored.
Begrudgingly, though, he had to admit that, by God, Sylvia had changed. Without the braces, the horned-rimmed glasses, and the smell of horses which, he remembered, was an ever-present aroma since so much of her time had been spent riding, she was indeed lovely. And he might have been completely bowled over if she hadn’t kept saying, “You’re stepping on my toes. Your feet were always much too big for you, Martin.”
At least she didn’t say it was his head.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, Sylvia.”
“And for heaven’s sake, don’t keep saying you’re sorry. It’s so irritating.”
“I’m sorry … I mean I’m sorry I said I was sorry. Would you rather not dance?”
“I
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