Tempted

  “Tell the truth, Joe, the only reason you want to get married is so you can move into a bigger place, right?”

  “Right. Right into your place.”

  “Forget it. When am I going to meet this kid? The one who wants me to co-sign his loan?”

  “Well, you'll meet him if he lets you. See, I promised I wouldn't give the kids away. They're trying to work out some sticky problems right now. You know how it is with kids, Bev. They're in love.”

  “Why the big secret? Are they in trouble?”

  “No, nothing like that. They just can't afford to get married and stay in school too. I'm trying to find a way for both.”

  “Think you can?”

  “I think I did. If they like the idea, that is.”

  “That fast? They can't be very bright or they would have done it themselves.”

  “They were too scared. They thought maybe it would be easier to skitter around the problem in devious ways rather than facing up to what they have to do. I think kids have problems because they feel like puppets with their parents, teachers, and ministers pulling the strings. They try to beat the folks at the parent game, and end up avoiding all the real issues. You know, if they didn't have parents to argue with, they would have found their own solutions eventually. And they don't have as many problems as they think they have. They ought to make it, no sweat.”

  “I have no idea what you're talking about.”

  “Well, never mind. I do. Are you free Friday?”

  “Not until four, why?”

  “I'm meeting with them again, and if they like my idea, maybe you could come over and meet them. How's that?”

  “I'll call you when the fashion show is over and if you want me to come then, I will.”

  Joe thought that would be great. He thought Terry and Steve would be relieved. They would prefer to be honest, make it right, without lying or playing games.

  When Friday rolled around, Joe was a little surprised to find that Steve was aware of what Terry had said two days earlier. For some reason Joe thought Terry might keep it from Steve, skirt the issue a little, hold back. Joe was glad she hadn't. He felt a new respect for their love. He thought they would make it just fine. Steve was the first to speak.

  “We've done a lot of talking about this, Joe, and I guess I wasn't paying attention. Terry has been upset and I've been so anxious to have her with me that I didn't even notice. She's not moving in with me. We're getting married. I'm going to drop out of school for a while and work full-time. I can still take a few classes. We couldn't handle the deception.”

  “I think I have a better idea,” Joe said. “I think I found a way for you to get married and stay in school. I want to make it perfectly clear to you both that I wouldn't have gotten involved if you had been minors. But you're both legally adults and I believe it's to your definite advantage to play the game straight from the start—and continue your education as well. I'll be pleased to explain my interference to your parents, even if they're not very understanding.”

  Joe amazed them with his facts and figures. He had Terry all lined up with a good summer job that could turn into part-time work in the fall. He was putting her in the church office with Reverend Sullivan and he would hire the other secretary. The pay wasn't great, but it was flexible and long-term. And there would be light days when she could study on the job.

  Steve was to go to the county hospital and see the administrator the following Monday. If he passed the civil service test, which should be a snap, he would have a full-time summer job and part-time job in the fall. The hospital administrator was receptive to the idea that there might be a full-time position available for Steve after he graduated. It might take him a while to become a full-fledged administrator, but he had the opportunity to prove himself.

  Next, Joe explained the loan. It would pay both tuitions for one year. They would have to feed themselves, pay their rent, and whatever else was necessary to live. According to the budget he had drawn up, he couldn't see why they would have any real problem. It would be a little tight, but it was always a little tight. There was even a column for the church; he had arranged a pittance for their tithing. Joe was relentless.

  “There's another problem, Terry and Steve, and it doesn't have anything to do with money. It isn't going to be easy for both of you to work and go to school. You'll be too tired, sometimes, to enjoy all that great legal sex. You'll feel the pressure, be pressed to find time to be together. You may even have trouble talking, yet you will have made serious promises to each other. Living together is tough even when things are easy. You're not going to have it easy. Are you sure?”

  “We're sure,” Steve said. “We can't put it off any longer.”

  “When?”

  “As soon as possible. My roommate can move into the frat house and Terry can move in with me. No big deal, just simple and legal. And soon.”

  “What's the rush?”

  “Come on, Joe.”

  “Okay, do you want to get married here?”

  “Only if you'll do it. And soon.”

  Kids. Always in a hurry. Slow down, kids. It isn't that perfect even when it's legal. It will be blessed, but that doesn't mean it will be ideal. There will be trouble with the folks even with the preacher on your side. Even with all the help in the world, marriage is tough. Pray, love, cooperate, share. And slow down.

  “We want to write our own vows, Joe. Will you help?”

  “I have some very definite ideas about what marriage means as a commitment, Terry and Steve. You may want to hear me out and then decide if you want my help. I could be considered very old-fashioned. Some people have even accused me of being on a God trip.”

  Well, they were pretty excited, but they could sit still long enough to listen to Joe when he talked about his personal impressions of lifetime contracts. They were a little worried about their parents and they all had a good laugh about how surprised Beverly was going to be when she found out that Steve and Terry were the ones who needed a loan. They didn't laugh over that for long. Beverly blew in like a hurricane. Actually, she moved in like a thundercloud that was about ready to burst.

  “These are the young people? My own sister.”

  “Then you've met?”

  “Why didn't you tell me?”

  “What happens in my office is none of your business.”

  “Even when it's my own family?”

  “Especially then. It is always confidential here. Always.”

  “That's a lousy excuse. You should have told me anyway.”

  “What's the difference? I'm telling you now.”

  “Your idea is all wet too. I will not co-sign a bank loan; not for my own sister.”

  “Don't you think you ought to ask them what they want? Or do you already have all the answers?”

  “Hey, don't get uppity with me, Joseph. If they need money, I can give them money.”

  “Beverly, just slow down here. They didn't ask you for—”

  “They didn't ask the right person, that's what. If you'd been thinking, you would have told Terry to just come to me and—”

  “I didn't tell Terry anything. That isn't my job. You like to tell people what to do and I like to encourage them to—”

  “At the very least, you should have told me my sister had some kind of a problem so I could—”

  “This may come as a big shock to you, Beverly, but not everyone likes it when you take charge of their lives. Terry might have preferred to work this out her own way.”

  “But she didn't, did she? She's getting to work it out your way.”

  “What are you, jealous? Jealous because—”

  “Don't you dare yell at me.”

  “You're yelling. Not me. You haven't even taken the time to listen to what's been going on here; you're so busy taking over. Why don't you settle down and listen to what they have in mind?”

  “Because all that business about the hard times is a lot of crap and I don't want my own sister drudging through
her last years of school and first years of marriage with nothing but money worries. If they need money, I want to help.”

  “Why don't you shut up and let them speak for themselves. Just for once, Beverly, shut up.”

  “Don't you tell me to shut up, you—”

  “Beverly, I swear, I never wanted to belt a woman before I met you.”

  “Try it once, Clark!”

  Terry and Steve stared at them in silent wonder while they brawled. Joe and Beverly were oblivious to the young couple. They were having a fight. Joe was used to this. Beverly liked to fight and call names and yell. She thrived on it. And Beverly also liked to win all the fights, even if she was wrong. Maybe one reason she was yelling was that she couldn't think straight, her mind was so boggled with figures and investments and interest rates. Beverly had confided that she was rich. Really loaded. If she never remarried, she could probably maintain a comfortable living till she was one hundred and ten years old. Beverly wanted to pay off Terry and Steve and buy them a “happily ever after marriage.” She wanted to be the one responsible.

  Beverly, bless her, could be a real pain in the ass.

  Joe strode toward Beverly and really wanted to hit her, just to shut her up. Once she got her wind up, you couldn't get a word in edgewise with Beverly. There was no reasoning with her. He shut her up by kissing her hard.

  “Beverly, will you be quiet?”

  “I hate you.”

  “Sure.” He kissed her again. And again. Finally, her arms went around his neck. There was one thing Beverly liked better than yelling, and that was kissing Joe. He was nearly expert at kissing her by now. And he was getting pretty good at shutting her up too.

  “Okay, you win. I'll shut up.”

  “Well, thank God.”

  “Stop all that praying. Do you want to come over tonight?”

  “Are you going to behave yourself?”

  “Do you want me to?”

  “I'd better stay home and watch the ballgame.”

  “I'll be good.”

  “That's what I'm afraid of. I'll watch the ballgame.”

  “Watch it at my house, with the boys...”

  Terry and Steve had seen the Reverend Clark and Mrs. Simpson kiss before. They were steadies now. They were together at family gatherings and at church. They were together more than they were apart. They were the talk of the town, Joe obviously in love and asking Beverly to marry him almost daily and Beverly obviously in love and refusing constantly. Half the congregation had started a pool, placing bets on who would win this little war.

  Joe would win the battle. Beverly shut up and loaned Steve the money on his terms, with low interest and easy payments while he was in school and larger payments after graduation. The foursome faced Terry's parents and found little resistance there. They finally came around willingly and offered to continue to help with Terry's tuition for a while.

  Steve's parents were another story. They were angry with Steve, Joe, Terry, and even Beverly. But the kids faced them bravely, told them the truth, and Steve kept his cool. Steve told his parents that he hoped they would come to understand his situation in time and he apologized if he had hurt them. He would marry Terry in any case, and he was incredibly mature at that moment.

  Joe had heard about confused youth, about their total disregard for religious commitment and their rebellious natures. There were many times Joe couldn't help. Even more were the times his help was never sought. And there were countless times his offered help was rejected, refused. Joe was feeling good. Not because he was able to help Terry. Because she had asked.

  “I'm sorry I was so bossy,” Beverly said. She snuggled up to Joe after the ballgame, after the boys went to bed. “Are you mad at me?”

  “Nope. I pretty much expected it.”

  “Oh, you did, did you? What are you? Psychic?”

  “Yeah, sure.” He laughed. As if a person had to be psychic to expect Beverly to get bossy.

  “I think I was jealous,” she said. “I wish they had come to me. Anyway, whatever the reason, I let it irritate me and make me unreasonable, bossy, and mean.”

  “It's okay, honey. I understand.”

  “You do?”

  “Sure.” He was going to explain it to her, but she snuggled closer and he didn't feel like talking. Later, though, when he could think clearly again, he remembered. It was like this with Beverly. She could love with such intensity, she sometimes scared herself. Often, he suspected her bossiness, humor, stubbornness, and good old fighting spirit were more to let off steam because what she felt inside was so strong. And Beverly loved Terry and Steve like crazy. Had they gone to her instead of Joe, she might have gone overboard with them. She might have given them the money too easily and robbed them of the chance to dig into their own hearts for their answers.

  Beverly's reactions were sometimes a little radical, but her heart was solid gold.

  Chapter Ten

  Joe asked Delores when Bob had died. The exact date. “Why?” she asked.

  “I don't know. I've never been this close to a widow before. I just thought I should know, be ready or something.”

  “You've been really good to her, Joe. I really appreciate it.”

  Delores was probably sincere in saying that, but Joe sometimes felt cheated. He wanted a little more from Beverly than he was getting. He wanted her to drop her guard a little, trust herself a little more. Joe already knew she trusted him. She was still awfully scared of herself though. Scared she would guess wrong, decide wrong, or commit wrong. For now he was being rewarded by the sound of her laughter instead of her tears. Bev could deny him, denounce him, run from him, and fight him. But she loved him and she was happy. Someday she would run out of excuses to keep herself away from him. Joe hoped and prayed that he could outlast her.

  When Terry and Steve met with Joe to set the date and make some definite plans, they suggested May 7. Joe asked if there was any other date they could agree on and they asked him why. So that was how it was. No one really remembered. Bob Simpson was dead and buried and Joe Clark was considered his replacement. That's what everyone thought, apparently. Everyone but Beverly. Joe knew that Bev hadn't forgotten. She wouldn't forget for a long time.

  “Because that's the day that Bob died. It might be easier on Bev if you chose another day. “She wouldn't ask you, but I am.”

  “I feel like a dog,” Terry muttered.

  “Well, don't. You're not supposed to dwell on it. The date is unimportant; the memory of a fine man is. Bev doesn't need a calendar to miss Bob. I just have a feeling she'll know. Just a feeling.”

  So they moved the wedding date up a week. Naturally. They couldn't wait. May first was the big day. There was a fever in the air whenever Terry and Steve were around. Joe suspected they had decided to abstain until the vows were exchanged, but asking would be getting downright ridiculous about the whole thing.

  But not for Beverly. Besides being a regular pain, she was nosy. She couldn't stand being left out of a secret.

  “Tell me which one of them approached you, at least,” she begged.

  “Nevermind.”

  “Come on.”

  “Forget it, Beverly, I'm not telling you.”

  “Well, why not?”

  “Top secret. And none of your business.”

  “They're getting married. It's no secret now.”

  “Leave it alone, Beverly. I'm not telling you.”

  “Did they tell you they were sleeping together?”

  “They were? Oh, God!”

  “It happens, you know.” Beverly the wise.

  “It's going to happen to you, too, if you don't put on some clothes.”

  Beverly stood her ground. She let Joe admire her short shorts while she cleaned the patio door. There was a lot of bending, stretching, and leaning involved in cleaning a sliding glass door. Bev had nice legs, a nice posterior, and Joe suspected everything else was nice too. He was starting to bead with sweat.

  “Why don't you wear
jeans? I love the way you look in jeans.”

  “It's too hot for jeans.”

  “Beverly, why don't you just marry me? I can't take this anymore.”

  “Nope.”

  “Then will you make me some iced tea?”

  “Why can't you make it yourself?”

  “Because if I try to stand up I'm going to break something.”

  Just this once she would make it for him. When men started asking you to wait on them, and started dropping by in the middle of the day because they were in the general area (about fifteen miles away), things were getting a little too heavy. When she had wanted badly to get married, she and Bob had to wait. When she didn't want to get married at all, the eager-beaver preacher was asking her daily.

  Yes, things were definitely getting too hot with the minister. Better break it off, Bev. Let him down nice and easy. Wouldn't want to hurt him; he's a nice guy. Nice guy: green light.

  “Are you still taking out your laundry, Joe?”

  “Well, I don't have time to do laundry and court the 'merry widow.'“

  “You might as well bring it over here then. I have to do about ten loads a week anyway. I wouldn't mind.”

  “Really?”

  “You know me. I'm not that generous.”

  “Okay, deal. I'll bring it over tonight.”

  And that was another thing. He was always inviting himself to dinner. And if he didn't, Beverly invited him.

  “Come at five and have dinner. Macaroni and cheese.”

  “My favorite.”

  “Everything is your favorite. You're a kid in a man's body.”

  “Can I have a hot dog with my macaroni and cheese?”

  Joe didn't mean to be adorable. That was something that just sort of happened whenever he was honest. He was cute. He was cute as long as you listened to him and kept from looking at him. When you looked at him, it did something to your heart. Beverly could look over the length of him, some six feet plus, and get just plain weak. She had seen a high school picture of him once and laughed until he was ready to smack her. He had been kind of homely, lanky and spindly-looking with sandy hair and freckles. No more.