There was no need to worry about pregnancy due to a forgotten prophylactic, nor about any blood from her ruptured hymen, because…

The bedroom door opened noisily and, clearing her throat noisily, Rhea turned the hall light on. Mitchell rolled off Marsha and both attempted to contain their ragged breathing, as…

A rectangle of bright light shown from around all four sides of the hallway door that, due to countless coats of paint throughout the years did not close properly, and the bathroom door opened and closed noisily as…

Standing before the toilet a minute, flushing it, going to the sink, needlessly washing her hands, opening the bathroom door, going back to her bedroom, closing the door, Rhea left the light in the hall on.

Waiting a few minutes, hearing nothing more from Rhea, the thin rectangle of light a small thing in comparison to his need, Mitchell brought his body back to Marsha’s, but…

“Mitchie, honey…”

Pretty sure; not knowing for sure and of course Rhea never knew, but her deliberate action that night did get the result she’d wanted, because…

The moment had passed, and…

Pressing her hands to his chest, “Mitchie, honey,” Marsha said, “we’ve waited so long. Please, baby, let’s wait a little longer.”

Oh, yes, this act of Rhea’s—in her mind—justifiable interference did get the result she’d hoped for, because…

Marsha and Mitchell were cheated of the “giving and taking” treasure of their lifetimes because this lost moment was the right and proper time for their love, and marriage to be consummated.

What was rightfully theirs was taken.

Never again would their love be as totally peaceful and as untouched by the tension and pressure of everyday living… or as wholeheartedly perfect as it had been then, at that exact time.

Excluding, of course, the need to think of a reason and excuse for a bloody sheet caused by a ruptured hymen, or, of course, the possibility of pregnancy…

But really, what girl gets pregnant the very first time she does it?

Ripples

October 30, 1955, to November 4, 1955

“Marcie, hi, honey! So, how was the shower? How’d we make out?”

“We got lots of nice things, but it was… oh, okay, I guess.”

“What do you mean, okay, you guess?”

“Mitchie, I don’t want to bother you with this.”

“If you’re saying it that way, then it’s got to be my mother, right?”

“Really, I’d rather not talk about it.”

“No, Marsha,” becoming angry, “tell me, what happened.”

“Marsha”? “Today, at the hotel… Oh, maybe it’s not such a big deal.”

“If it’s not such a big deal, then why’s it bothering you so much?”

“Look, Mitchell, I don’t want you to be mad at her, it’s just that… Darn it! My aunts made the shower for me, not her!”

“Mitchell”! Sighing, “So tell me already, what happened?”

“Okay… You know how she thinks she’s funny sometimes, and how she likes to think she’s running things. Well she took charge, and if anyone should have taken charge, it should have been one of my aunts,” she said indignantly, “not her!”

“She took charge of your shower?” he said angrily.

Misconstruing his anger, “Yes! But it’s more than just that. I don’t know why, but your mother thought it was her place to open my gifts, and I just sat there like an idiot while she did it! And she didn’t have the right to do it!”

His tone softening, “Maybe she thought she was helping you.” Embarrassed by his mother’s interference, “Maybe she was just trying to help out.”

Her turn to sigh. “Maybe you’re right. Nah, don’t say anything, Mitch. It’s over with, and it’ll only hurt her feelings and make things even worse between us. Besides, there’s only a week before you ship out and I don’t want you having any more aggravation.”

After a few moments of prolonged silence, “Oh, yeah,” Mitchell said. “I got a letter from Norman. He told me he’s joined the Navy and won’t be there to stand up for me.”

“That’s a shame,” she said sincerely. “So who are you going to ask?”

“I’ve been thinking; we’re going to be married a long time…”

“No, Mitchie! Not ‘a long time.’ Forever!”

“Yeah, honey, forever! And that’s why I thought I’d ask your brother. Maybe it’ll help him’n’me be friends.”

“That’s a real nice thing to do, Mitchie. I don’t know what he’ll say, but it’ll sure make Mother happy.”