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THE FIRST SUNDAY IN December Linda and Harry visited her folks. Rather than worry about snow and ice on the roads they rode the Long Island Rail Road. Linda was familiar with the hazards and unpredictabilities of this mode of travel and so they brought a thermos of hot coffee with them.

Harry looked out the window from time to time at the drab-to-ugly surroundings, conscious only of how good he felt.

“When I go to sleep, I never count sheep.”

Their breath was steaming from their mouths and they drew silly pictures on the window with their fingers, then breathed on the window and watched the pictures appear in the mist that formed from their breath.

                                                    “I count all the charms about Linda. And lately it seems,”

                                                    Harry looked at the funny little drawing and then at Linda. Whats that supposed to be?

O, smiling, you should be able to figure that one out.

“in all of my dreams, I walk with my arms about Linda”

                                                    Harry smiled and shrugged. It beats me.

Linda laughed, Nanook of the north.

The steam puffed from their mouths as they laughed,

                                                    “and after a while I will get to know Linda.”

                            the sight and sound of her laughter pulsing a warm glow through him.

Lindas father met them at the station and though it was only a ten- or fifteen-minute drive to the house, the scenery changed drastically, and Harry felt like he was driving through a Christmas card. His smile seemed to start on the inside and then flow up to his face. The snow was banked high on the sides of the road and sloped off in pristine whiteness, and icicles hung from the snow-covered trees and glistened in the sun. And the sky—Krist the sky was beautiful.

                                        “But miracles still happen, and when my lucky star begins to shine

                                        A light winter blue, and crisp, with white fluffy clouds moving just fast enough to let you know it was real.

When they got to the house, Harry was introduced to Lindas brother and sister, her mother and an aunt—the mothers older sister. They sat for a while drinking coffee and warming to each other. Then it was game time. Harry, Lindas father and brother went into the living room to watch the football game while the women remained in the kitchen to prepare dinner and talk to Linda about her fella.

Harry had a ball watching the game with them. They both knew and liked the game, so the running commentary was enjoyable. He had been a little apprehensive, afraid they might be like those crazy old broads in the office who hoot and holler during the World Series and seem to be especially delighted when your team is losing; then they ask you who is up, the Rangers or the Knicks? But this was different, and to top it off the game was really exciting, and so Harry didnt feel as if he was being constantly inspected.

And the dinner was positively delicious, and the conversation enjoyable. And when they finally left the dining room table two hours later, they continued talking and sipping coffee in the living room, every one feeling tranquil from the food and the burning and glowing logs in the fireplace.

Time slipped warmly and gently by, and it seemed that the warmth of the day, the home and its people, was infinite, and the mirth and laughter that tickled ones bones endless. God, it was beautiful. And no one would know what was said. But the feelings would be remembered, as feelings always are, long after the words and the circumstances have passed beyond recall.

And then the laughter was interrupted with the announcement that it was time to go, and the thermos was refilled with steaming coffee and Linda and Harry were bundled into their coats and there were hugs and embraces and pats on the back with more laughter, and kisses and the shaking of hands and, Goodbye, goodbye, dont forget to call as soon as you get home, dear.

I will, mother, dont worry.

And you come to see us again soon, son.

O, I will, smiling broadly, and thanks for a great day. It was really wonderful. And thank you for that great meal. You are a great cook.

Thank you, Im so glad you enjoyed it.

Well, goodbye.

Goodbye.

Thanks. See you again.

Soon.

Safe home.

Well, we/d better get moving, and the door was opened to the cold winter night and they rushed to the car and scampered in and the joy and jubilance were still in their voices:

                                                    Oooo, its really cold, brrrrr.

Boy, its really something. One minute youre in a nice warm room, and then, bamm, the north pole.

They laughed while Lindas father let the car warm up for a few minutes before starting for the station. The heater will be ready in a minute and then it/ll warm up in here.

They stayed in the warmth of the car until the train was in sight and then they hugged, kissed and shook hands, and Harry and Linda hustled to the station.

The ride back was a little warmer; they got to a car where the heaters worked and settled into their seats. They looked out the window, and as they left the lights of the station they were looking at each others reflection and smiled simultaneously and continued to look through each others reflection at the darkness. The night obscured the drabness of the surrounding area, and here and there patches of snow and ice sparkled as they reflected a nearby light. It looked enchanting.

Harry winked and Linda smiled, and then they both chuckled and turned from the window,

                “We meet on the street.”

                                        Hello Linda.

They looked in each others eyes intently and smiled warmly. Harry took her hands in his and looked at them for a moment, then looked back into her eyes. It was a beautiful day, a truly beautiful day. I had a great time.

Good, her smile broadening, Im glad you did.

Harry looked down at her hands again, squeezed them gently, then smiled tenderly as he looked up. The only thing more beautiful than the day is you. Linda could feel herself flushing. Youre the most beautiful thing in the world. Harry kissed her finger tips, gently, ever so gently, then raised his head again. I love you.

The train clacked on and they continued to look at each other for a moment, both surprised by what they had heard. Linda had been wanting to hear it, and Harry did not know he was going to say it, but it felt right when he heard it.

Thats not a word to use lightly, Harry.

I know. I know its not. Youve never heard me bandy it about.

No, thats true. I havent. But it is a word that can mean many things.

I know. At least I think I know what you mean. This is the first time in my life I ever thought about it, I guess.

Linda looked at Harry intently, her expression extremely firm. What do you mean by it, Harry?

He blinked, a little surprised by his feelings and by what he was about to say. I want to marry you.

                            They continued to stare at each other for whatever length of time it takes for words to become a part of feelings, and for the feelings to register and turn into actions. The train continued to jerk and clickity-clack its way toward the City of New York, and gradually Lindas face started to relax, then beamed into a smile.

I would love to be your wife Harry, and she put her arms around him and kissed him and he started to giggle and kiss her and they both started laughing as they bounced up and down on the seat, their arms around each other. Linda pulled her head back for a moment and looked at Harry and shook her head, O Harry, I love you. Love you. Her eyes were tearing slightly and sparkled in the dull light of the train. She fell back into his arms and they embraced and hugged and kissed, then eventually they allowed a little space between them and Harry laughed and wondered what the other people on the train were thinking.

Theyre probably thinking we/re happy, and anyway, who cares what theyre thinking?

Harry poured steaming coffee into two thermos cups and the carefree, joyous lovers toasted their betrothal.

Lindas parents were overjoyed with the news, and they talked with them for many minutes before finally hanging up the phone. After a few more cups of coffee, and sharing the good news with Lindas roommate, Harry left.

On the way home he found himself instinctively reviewing what had happened. Everything seemed to have happened spontaneously—he hadnt planned on proposing to Linda, or telling her he loved her. He had never said to himself that he loved her, yet when he said it to her it felt right. And the idea of marrying her felt right. It was all a surprise and the reality was starting to settle in, but it still felt right. He felt—sensed—that it was the missing ingredient in his life, that this was what he needed to make his life complete.

Harry broke the news to his folks the next morning and was surprised at their reaction. His mother literally squealed with joy and hugged him and kissed him, O, thats wonderful son. Im so happy for you. I thought there was something going on with you and that Linda.

His father slapped him on the back repeatedly, Congratulations, Harry. Thats great. Thats just great. Every man should have a family. After all, winking at Harry, the rest of us have to suffer, why shouldnt you?

O, you phony you. You love every minute of it and you know it.

He laughed and kissed his wife, and then they both congratulated Harry again.

Harry was still chuckling to himself on the way to work. That was the first time he had ever heard of a festive breakfast. His folks were so happy he thought maybe they were going bananas. Guess maybe this whole thing is right. Sure as hell made them happy. And that made him happy. Have to have Linda over for dinner Sunday. I hope Pop doesnt pound the shit out of her back. He almost laughed out loud, but checked himself.

He started to get apprehensive as he walked from the subway to the office. He was keeping to his new schedule, so he was a few minutes early and would not have to walk by an office full of stares, but still he knew that he was supposed to have some kind of an attitude, but what? And in a matter of minutes the office would be filled and then there would be the looks and the questions…. Harry frowned inwardly, maybe not. Its only Monday morning, you know, and it was only last night that this whole thing happened—Really? Is that all? Krist, can it only be a matter of hours? Sure doesnt seem that way. Well, whatever, it feels weird.

The morning was still young, many minutes from the first coffee break of the day, when Rae and Louise occurred at his desk. So good morning, lover boy.

Harry looked up quickly, then leaned back and laughed; they joined him.

Its about time. I was afraid you were going to let her get away.

Hey, what is this, some sort of inquisition?

So why not? Once it was your turn, now its ours.

Harry laughed along with them, then looked at Rae, You should only plotz … ten feet from the Fountainbleau.

It took Harry a few minutes to get back into his work after they left. Well, at least that was over with. The rest of it will be easy enough as far as the office is concerned. A few more congratulations and handshakes, but that will be easy enough to take care of. Harry was smiling inwardly and outwardly, and hummed through the remainder of the morning.

For the first time he felt a little conspicuous meeting Linda for lunch, but that soon passed. After all, this was the first time they met at the elevators on their floor rather than in the lobby, which really made their betrothal official.

                                                    Linda laughed, I hadnt thought of that, but I guess youre right.

Yeah, but the novelty will wear off in a few days and nobody will bug us.

We hope. She laughed, and Harry smiled as he watched her eyes sparkle. Krist, he felt good being with her. He never seemed to realize just how good he did feel. And it feels better and better and better. Krist, he was going to get married…. But it was all right. It really was all right.

Harry wanted Wentworth to know about his engagement, but for some reason he did not want to go into his office and announce it. He/d feel foolish. And anyway, hed find out sooner or later. Most likely sooner. Rae wasnt the only yenta in the office.

He was right. It was sooner. When he went into Wentworths office that afternoon, Wentworth had a smile on his face. I hear from Donlevy that youre engaged to his secretary.

Yes, smiling, that right.

Good, good. Im glad to see that youre maturing and settling down. Thats a wise move Harry, a very wise move. It will make all the difference in the world.

Harry sat at his desk thankful to krist that he wasnt a paranoid. It would be easy to get the feeling that people were doing nothing but sitting around and talking about him and his marital status. Makes you feel weird. Like they know something you dont know. And the way his folks acted you could think that maybe theyd been planning on what they were going to do with his room as soon as he got married and left, and lets hope its soon. Maybe we can help you pack. He shrugged and smiled, O, well, everybodys happy. And it probably will make all the difference in the world.