Battle Cry - Leon Uris [7]
“What’s the matter, you mad at me?”
“No,” Kathy answered. “Why?”
“You haven’t said a word since I got in the car.”
She looked at his swollen cheek. “Does it hurt badly?”
“Oh that, that’s nothing.”
“I suppose I should be proud and make a lot of noise like Sally does. But I’m afraid you’re going to break your neck some day.”
He smiled teasingly. “Really worries you…I like having you worry about me.”
“Do you feel like going to the dance tonight?”
“The victory ball,” Danny mused. “That sure kills me. We’re always having a victory ball after the City game—only we never win.”
“Why don’t you just come over and we’ll play the radio. You look tired.”
“I thought you were dying to go to the ball. That’s all you’ve been talking about for two weeks.”
“I know, but—”
“Yeah, I’d like to get out of it, but the gang will say we’re stuck up.”
“We’ll leave early then.”
“Swell, meet Virg and Sally at the Malt Palace later.”
He took her hand and looked at his class ring.
“I put tape around it, so it would fit.” He glanced into the back seat and seeing that Bud was fully asleep drew her over to him.
“Not here, Danny. The whole neighborhood will be looking.”
“I don’t care.”
“Don’t be silly.” She pulled away and opened the door. “I’ll see you in an hour.”
After a few dances in the decorated gymnasium, they stole away from the well-wishers and back-slappers. As they drove, her soft golden hair brushed against his cheek and he smelled the fresh sweet scent of perfume. She hummed the tune of the last dance softly.
Two in love,
Can face the world together,
Hearts that cuddle up,
Can muddle through….
He turned the ignition key over and tuned in an all-night music station. The car stood by Druid Lake Reservoir between cars parked every few feet circumferencing the lake. She came into his arms and they kissed and she nestled there, tucking her legs beneath her. He sighed as he kissed her cheek again and again.
“Are you chilly, kitten?”
“No.” She drew away and leaned against the opposite door. “I was just thinking.”
“What? You’ve sure been acting screwy.”
“I don’t know exactly. When I was watching the game, it occurred to me that…well, I don’t know how to say it.”
“What, kitten?”
“It was sort of a crisis for us. We’d be apart…you’ll be going away to college in a few months. It’s been an awful lot of fun.” Her voice trembled.
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot too. I guess we’ve got to grow up sometimes.”
“I suppose.”
“I’m going to miss you an awful lot. But we’ll have Christmas Holidays and all summer. I’ll get work here during the summer.”
“You’ve decided, then?”
“I decided that a long time ago. I wanted to go to M.I.T. But they don’t give football scholarships and I’m afraid the bill would be a little too steep for Dad.”
“You do want to go to Georgia Tech?”
“Yes.”
“Have you talked it over with Virg?”
“No. I don’t want to back down on a bargain…but I’ll never get my C.E. at Maryland…not the one I want.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad if you went there. I’ll be going in another year.”
“That’s the trouble. Georgia is so far away from you.”
“I wish you didn’t have to play football.”
“I like football.”
“I don’t. I think I’ll be worried to death the whole time you’re gone.”
“About football?”
“And some other girl stealing you.”
“You’re my girl, Kathy. You’ll see someday why I want to be an engineer so badly. They go everywhere in the world, see everything. Do all kinds of jobs—tunnels, bridges, dams. It’s a real job. A good civil engineer writes his ticket.”
“I know how much you want it.”
“Kathy?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t like leaving you. Try to understand.”
“Yes.” She came back to his arms and he petted her gently.
“I think if another guy ever touched you, I’d kill him.”
“Would you…honestly?”
“Do you suppose it will be the same, kitten? I want you to go out on dates and all.”
“I won’t enjoy them.”
“It will be best. Five years is a long time before we can make any real plans. I’ve…sometimes wished I could say a lot of things to you…and wished we could be serious.”
“It’s really