The Demon (21 page)

 
Linda bore the brunt of it, but she didnt mind. Rae called her almost as soon as she sat down and wanted to know how she was; and all the other girls wanted to hear all about her honeymoon during the coffee break; and then there was lunch with Louise and Rae and more questions.

 
But Linda enjoyed it. She enjoyed talking about their honeymoon; it excited her to relive it by telling others about it. And, too, she realized that in a day or two it would be business as usual.

 
For Harry it was business as usual immediately, only more so. Wentworth asked him if he had had a good time, then went immediately into the mass, and mess, of work that was waiting. They spent most of the day in Wentworths office, sending out for sandwiches for lunch—Harry vaguely flashed

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on his dream of making his mark in the world and eating lunch in the finest of restaurants—and staying late in the evening, a procedure that would continue for quite some time.

 
Linda was disappointed that they would not be going home together, but then she realized that it would give her ample time to prepare a nice dinner and have it ready for Harry when he got home, and so she rapidly adjusted to the new schedule.

 
Harrys new position was taxing and demanding, but he thrived on it. So much of it was new, and unprecedented with respect to the existing procedures, that new systems had to be constantly developed and changes made in current ones. Everyday there were new problems, each with its own particular demands. It was positively exhilarating and exciting and absorbed all his tensions.

 
Working until 7:00 or 8:00 P.M. became routine, but most days Harry made certain he had lunch with Linda, even if he had to cut it short. And then four or five hours on Saturday became s.o.p., and so Linda utilized that time to do the housework she was unable to do during the week. Harry wanted her to get a housekeeper, but Linda wanted to do it herself. They were both settled in their routine, and their life, and marriage, moved along smoothly.

 
And their love life got better with time. Familiarity bred excitement. They loved discovering those little things, the touch, that made the other respond with a quiver or a sigh, and, in turn, having the discovery made.

 
Time passed gently and unnoticed except for the change in weather and the need for a coat. Then the Sunday paper started getting thicker as the ads increased, and then another holiday season was just around a windy corner. Lindas excitement grew daily as she looked forward to their first holidays as man and wife.

 
Thanksgiving was a feast and an occasion that was surpassed only by Christmas. Linda had been dreaming, planning and buying, and their apartment was alive with color and joy. They put the tree up a week before Christmas, and Linda

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turned the lights on as soon as she got home each evening. There was a wreath on the door and mistletoe hanging from the chandelier over the dining room table. There was a warmth, a glow, a—a spirit that pervaded the entire apartment and its occupants. Harry started feeling it as he got into the elevator and the feeling grew as he opened the door and heard the little bell on the wreath, and then it flooded through him as he closed the door behind him and went into the kitchen and saw Linda fussing with the pots and heard her voice, Hi, honey, how are you? And before he got his coat off, he kissed her; then he stretched out in his chair and looked at the Christmas tree and enjoyed his inner glow.

 
Christmas morning they sat on the floor, around the tree, tearing paper off presents like little kids, and ooooooing and aaahbhhhhing and squealing and hugging and kissing and laughing. . . . There was a lot of laughter.

 
They visited his folks, then hers, and when they got back home late that night, they were tired and exhilarated from the joy of a long Christmas day that exceeded anything experienced or anticipated. Harry tossed his coat on the couch and plopped in his chair. Linda folded herself on his lap and leaned her forehead against his for a moment, then kissed him. Merry Christmas, Mr. White, my handsome, loving husband.

 
Harry smiled and twirled a finger in her hair and kissed her gently on the forehead, the rip of her nose and her lips. I love you. I love you very much, Linda White. You are my Merry Christmas.

 
Lindas life was comfortable. She did not see as much of Harry as she would have liked; and did not fully understand his drive and need for success, but she accepted them and his schedule. And the time they did have together was truly theirs and very precious to her. There were rides and walks and shows and zoos and gardens and window shopping and dinners and nights just sitting at home and talking and laughing and feeling close in an inner and special way. There was,

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for her, a completeness about their life. And she was certain that Harry felt that way too.

 
He had a way of touching her and looking at her that made her feel special, that made her feel that no one and nothing else existed, and a gentle yet exciting glow would flow through her and shine in her eyes.

 
And, from time to time, she would come home from work and find a note or card from Harry, and the card might have a picture of one of those funny-looking characters who looks like she is going ten ways at once and it might have some dumb caption like, Hey, whats for dinner, or something equally inane, but she loved it. Sometimes she would open an envelope and find a note saying, Hi, I love you. Or, See you soon, Mrs. White. P.S. I love you, baby. She would chuckle and glow with delight and add each new card or note to her existing collection.

 
And, of course, it wasnt just the note or card itself that thrilled her so, that had her humming as she rode the elevator, and had her standing in the middle of the living room saying, Hello home. It was the idea that Harry would take the time out of his busy schedule to buy a card or write a note and then address an envelope and mail it. It just thrilled her to think of him thinking of her as she thought of him.

 
And though she was not in love with her work, like Harry, she did enjoy it and had no problems in the office, and the days just seemed to gently slide by and away.

 
But eventually a vague discontent started to gnaw its way into Linda Whites life. She knew the reason long before there was a conscious problem to be concerned about. She had always been aware that something was missing, and so when she became aware of a discontent within her, she knew what was causing it and so was not unduly upset or worried. Her only concern was what Harry would say, and she would find that out as soon as the time was right. In the meantime she just did not upset herself by worrying about it.

 
One bright, clear yellow-green Sunday in May, about a month before their first wedding anniversary, they were

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strolling through the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens looking at cherry blossoms. It was the first really warm day of spring, with a sky that was blue and a sun that you could feel thaw your bones—a day that comes only a few times a year when everything seems to be clean and crisp. The cherry trees seemed to be endless and they could feel the softness of the blossoms under their feet as they slowly went along the path. When they reached the end of the trees, they walked to the Rose Garden and sat on a bench in the sun. They sat quietly for a while, enjoying this land, this bit of enchantment, that seemed so far removed from the city that surrounded it. ...

Linda caressed

Harrys hand with her finger tips. She looked at him and smiled tenderly. He smiled too and kissed her on the tip of her nose.

Harry ... I want something. I want it very much.

Its yours.

No sweetheart, smiling, Im serious.

 
But so am I, returning her smile and kissing her on the nose again.

O, you . . .

They both laughed and finally Harry said, O.K., what is it?

I want a baby.

Right now, mock shock on his face, and here?

Well, it just might take a little longer than that.

 
Thats what I hear, smiling warmly and tracing the edge of her ear with his finger, even for the birds and bees.

I dont know about the birds and bees—or butterflies either.

 
Harrys eyes were open wide with surprise, Or butterflies either?

 
Please dont tease me, Harry. I want a baby. Very, very much.

 
Harry put his hands gently on her shoulders and bowed his head slightly, Your wish is my command. It is done, fair lady.

 
It is? I guess Ive been misinformed all my life then. They laughed for a moment, then Linda suddenly put her arms around him, Ooooooooo Harry, I love you, and hugged him close to her.

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Harry put his arms around her and kissed her on the cheek and the neck and the ear, I love you Mrs. White. We will make beautiful babies, Lindas eyes were closed and she was gently leaning into his kisses, and we may just as well start now.

 
I think we/ll have to wait, her eyes still closed, at least until we get home.

Chicken, still hugging and kissing her.

Animal.

 
 
They laughed and got up and started walking back, hand in warm hand, along the cherry-blossomed path.

 
That September, the twenty-third to be exact, Linda told Harry that she was pregnant.

Are you sure?

 
Absolutely, smiling, I got the results from the doctor this afternoon.

You mean you failed your rabbit test?

It depends on your point of view. I would say I passed it.

 
They laughed and Harry looked at her for a moment, then grinned broadly, Mama White. Well I/ll be damned. Isnt that something. When? How far along?

Six weeks.

You sure?

Uh huh. Ive been checking the calendar.

Harry laughed, You really do want a baby, dont you?

Linda shook her head, a warm, contented smile on her face.

 
Well, clapping his hands together, I guess the least I can do is take you, both of you, out to dinner. He chuckled, I cant get over it, Mother White. Isnt that something?

 
Yes, it is, smiling and nodding her head, Papa White, putting her arms around him and snuggling into him.

 
They were moved into their new apartment a few months before the baby was born. It was a beautiful place in the same

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building, but higher, with a luxurious feeling of space and a magnificent view of Central Park. There was a den for Harry for the times when he had work he wanted to do at home, and a maids room, but Linda insisted she wanted to take care of her child and her home and so declined the services of a live-in maid, but she did allow Harry to make arrangements to have a cleaning lady come in a few times a week to help her with the heavier work. Theres no reason for you to have to take care of a place this large all by yourself. And anyway, we cant have the wife of an assistant vice-president in charge of foreign operations doing menial chores.

 
Linda laughed and shook her ahead, All right, you win. But if I get fat and lazy, it will be your fault.

They looked at her belly and laughed.

 
Harry not only liked the apartment and the view, but loved the idea of living in a huge luxury apartment on Central Park West. It had been one of his goals—dreams—and now it was a reality.

 
The pregnancy was comfortable for Linda and the delivery without complications. Of course it was late at night when Linda told Harry to take her to the hospital—I think its time —and early in the morning when she finally gave birth to their firstborn, a healthy boy. Harry sat with Linda until she drifted off to sleep, then he went home and slept until noon before going to the office.

 
He was still a little groggy, but elated. He told Wentworth, who slapped him on the back repeatedly, Thats the way, Harry. Theres nothing like having a son the first shot out. Thats great. Great.

 
When Harry finished spreading the news through the executive suite, he got to work and soon was involved in it as usual, but he still felt that hot whirl of excitement inside him that made his face flash into a smile from time to time. Walt is right, it is good to have a son.

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When he brought Linda and Harry Jr. home from the hospital, they put the baby in his bassinet and stood looking down at him for many minutes. He was amazing, absolutely amazing. Harry had never seen a newborn infant before. Hes so small. I cant believe how incredibly tiny he is.

 
He may look tiny to you, sweetheart, but he did not feel tiny to me.

 
Harry laughed and put his arms around her and hugged her gently and kissed her tenderly on the cheek. Its hard to believe that someday he will grow up and be a man, and everything.

 
Linda laughed and shook her head. Let me enjoy my son for a few minutes before you pack his bag and send him off to college.

 
O.K., laughing and hugging her, anything you say . . . Moms.

 
They were new parents. And proud, especially strolling through the park on Sunday. And Harry was timid, too. He could not believe the ease with which Linda picked the baby up, turned him over, and rubbed this on him and took that off him and just sort of tossed him around. Harry held him occasionally, but was always afraid that he might hurt him. He was especially afraid that he might stick his finger in the soft area of his head or break this or that. Linda laughed and reassured him that the baby was a lot sturdier than he thought. After all, you are his father, and she would cuddle up to him.