The Demon (20 page)

 
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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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 Went-worths 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.

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8

 
The wedding was set for the

first Sunday in June, and Harry was so preoccupied with his work that he might not have been aware of the approaching date except for all the details that had to be taken care of, most of which were taken care of by Linda, but leaving enough for Harry so that he was reminded of the coming event.

 
In the middle of May he had a brief conference with Went-worth, Youre getting married soon, arent you Harry?

 
Yes. Ahhh, lets see. . . . Three weeks from Sunday, as a matter of fact.

 
I hope, a sly grin on his face, that you know how to enjoy a honeymoon.

 
Harry chuckled, Well, if I dont, I/ll just stick in there until I learn.

Wentworth guffawed, then laughed, Thats a good one. I

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like that. They laughed for a moment, then Wentworth stopped abruptly.

 
O.K., Wentworth grinning slightly. I want you to enjoy yourself and have the time of your life. The firm knows how to show its appreciation for its valued personnel and youll be getting a five hundred dollar bonus to help you make this a memorable occasion.

 
Thanks. I didnt expect anything like that. Thats really wonderful.

 
Thats O.K., thats O.K., waving his hand in a gesture of dismissal, we want you to come back here with an abundance of energy. To put it briefly, those changes I mentioned a few months ago are about to happen, and you are going to be an integral part of them. We are developing a new division, on a multinational basis, and I will be the general manager in charge of the operation, as well as executive vice-president, and you are going to be my assistant, the second in command, a second vice-president—Harrys head jerked back and he looked at Wentworth, forcing himself not to stare like a jerk and jump up and down and say hooray—and then you will know what it really is to work. Wentworth grinned again, and Harry got up, realizing that the meeting was over.

 
Thank you Mr. Wentworth, I ah—I dont know what to say.

Just continue to do a good job, thats all.

Right, nodding his head.

 
And remember Harry, no one, pausing to allow the phrase to sink in, no one is indispensable.

 
Harry was so excited he could hardly sit at his desk. He was on his way, he was really on his way now. None of that junior bullshit that Davis got. Krist, half an hour until lunch. Goddamn, thats what I call a wedding present. He couldnt wait to get started on the new job.

 
At last it was lunch time, and he told Linda the good news and she was so excited she kept hugging and kissing him. O, Im so happy for you honey, Im just so happy. Wait until I

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tell the folks. Theyll be absolutely thrilled— Ohhh, Im so proud of you sweetheart. . . . Harry smiled and chuckled, his excitement being fed by hers. Jesus she had a lovely laugh, and everything sure was coming up roses.

 
The honeymoon was as a honeymoon should be—a good fucking time. There are many enchanting elements in a successful honeymoon, and Harry and Linda certainly found them in New Orleans, but if it doesnt make it between the sheets, then a honeymoon just doesnt make it. Without that, the most exotic land is mundane and drab, but with it, even so lowly a pasture as Secaucus is exciting and romantic. But when both come together properly, the result is synergistic and you have an experience, and memories, that will be cherished during the longest of lifetimes and will be reached back to as a source of comfort and future hope.

 
And the honeymoon of Mr. and Mrs. Harold White was, to say the least, idyllic. What can be said about New Orleans at any time, under any conditions? Its certainly more than Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, or the Mardi Gras, or even old Satchmo himself.

 
And when you have just left New York with your new bride and everything is new and unfamiliar, and you are walking through the Latin Quarter on a June night and you feel the excitement in the air and in each others hand, then it is pure enchantment.

 
And what could be said about Harry in bed???? Actually quite a bit. And all good. But the big thing, from Harrys point of view, was the difference in how he felt, a difference that he gradually became aware of as the initial excitement faded and a more intense pleasure replaced it. He could not define the difference, or even isolate it as far as that goes; he just knew that this was not the same as it had been in the past. About the only way he could describe this vague feeling of his was that he felt like he was in no hurry to go.

One afternoon they were strolling along a boulevard, just

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having finished a tantalizing Creole lunch, when Harry kissed Lindas finger tips, then hailed a cab and they went back to the hotel. Later, in the early evening, while she was showering and slowly rubbing her body with the perfumed soap, loving the feel and smell of the soap and shower, and even the sound of the water, feeling completely luxurious, she smiled and chuckled inwardly when she realized that if she had had any idea, even the vaguest hint, that going to bed with Harry would be so exciting, she might not have said what she had about waiting to get married. She watched the lather slowly being rinsed off her body. No, no, there was no way she would have made that little speech.... But thank God she had. If she hadnt, she might not be Mrs. Harry White today, and she wanted very much to be just that. She loved Harry and loved being his wife.

 
Eventually, of course, the honeymoon was over, but the melody did linger on. They got back late on Friday night and spent the weekend calling family and friends and settling into their lovely apartment on Central Park West, and getting ready for the new life that was about to unfold before them. And on Monday it started to unfold.