Mr. Benson looked up from his newspaper and let out a long, slow, whistle. "Somebody!" he called, "introduce me, please. Surely, this angel can't be my daughter?"
Linda laughed, "Oh, Father, you're being corny again!"
The mother also gazed at her daughter. It really seemed unbelievable for them to behold her, already a perfect young lady - the same baby they had laid in the hospital bed seventeen years ago; the same little girl they fitted with a First Holy Communion veil. And it wasn't so long ago that they were privileged to pin a medal for academic honors on her at high school graduation time. Those events seemed to have happened only yesterday.
"Linda, sit down a minute, honey." Mrs. Benson ventured to say, "there are some points I'd want you to know."
"Now, Mom, I can't or I'll wrinkle my dress. I know you don't like Fred, but I really am not a baby anymore as you think."
"Linda, I never said I don't like Fred. It's just that you don't know him enough. You're only seventeen. A boy... a man of twenty-four who's been in the army has met all kinds of people and..."
"Mother, just don't waste your breath until you have met him. I know you'll like him." She leaned over her mother, gently planted a kiss on her cheek and went back into her room."
The man standing at the door with a lovely orchid in his hands seemed very young. He blushed as Mrs. Benson led him inside to meet her husband.
"Glad to know you, Fred. How's life in the army these days?" Mr. Benson smiled at him curiously.
"Not bad at all, Sir. But we expect to be shipped out any day now." He rubbed his fingers on the lapel of his shirt. After an uncomfortable silence, he swallowed hard and expostulated, "I appreciate very much your allowing me to take Linda out despite the fact that we have only shortly met each other."
A fresh wave of misgivings and mistrust swept through Mrs. Benson although she couldn't deny that she, herself, was impressed by his gentlemanly manners, - even at first sight of him. How she longed to lead her daughter back into the blessed years of peaceful childhood! Resolutely, she hardened her heart. "Linda was brought up strictly. Naturally, we wouldn't want her to stay out too late."
"Of course," he said, "I'll bring her home early."
The young pair had gone and Mr Benson led his wife back into the living room. As he was aware of the mental discomfiture that stunned her, he tried to comfort her, "Honey, dear, listen to me. For seventeen years we have guarded Linda, body, heart, and soul in tact. Now, it is high time for us to stand back and let the training take over. I know we won't be disappointed. Just keep calm." And he went to bed.
Mrs. Benson tried to stay up a little longer and do a little more of her crocheting. She didn't even notice the hours pass by as she kept pondering on the dangers and the pitfalls that inevitably confront a young lady like Linda. She recollected headlines that emphasized the aggressiveness of modern teenagers and how they dared go to extremes.
Then suddenly, she held her breath as she heard the door quietly open. A swift glance at the wall clock told her it was only 11:45. Could something have happened?
"Hi!" nervously, she called to them. "I didn't expect you home so early."
"Oh, I'm glad you're still up, Mrs. Benson," Fred returned. "I really wanted to say goodbye to you and Mr. Benson. You see, I just received an emergency communication from my superiors to be back in camp..... we're leaving tomorrow. You have been so nice to me and I will never forget it!"
He shook hands with the mother. Then to the girl, with a steady gaze into her eyes, he drew her hands to his lips and said, "Thanks for your wonderful company, Linda. I hope we'll meet again someday." And he walked over the threshold.
Mrs Benson felt uncomfortable, this time, due to the rash judgment she had made on Fred. He measured up to her expectations after all.
"You can go to bed now, dear," she said as she stroked the strand of hair that fell on Linda's forehead into place. "Tell me all about it in the morning!"
.
In her room now, Linda was still in her suit. She switched off the lamp and moved slowly to the open window. Down the street, just a block away, she could hear the music and the laughter at the gang's favorite coffee shop.
Throughout the ball, she had entertained no other partner but Fred. Maybe it was because he was different from the others being in uniform. Or maybe because he acted so reserved? So unlike the boys she knew? She couldn't put a finger to it.
After the event, the gang had invited her to the coffee shop as they were wont to do but this time, she had refused. She felt as if it would be childish and she asked Fred to take her straight home. Maybe when they meet again, they will be like strangers. Maybe the magic will have worn off. Maybe. But she will never forget this night - the night she grew up and said goodbye to childish ways. It might have well counted for a fairy tale night but for Linda, that night had been a beautiful reality as she had walked over the threshold and turned woman!
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