Breathe No More My Lady

can give up this apartment and be saving money. Norm-man, I think we should buy it, really.”

“Well...” I sat up. “Hey, you didn't put a deposit down?”

“Of course no, not without consulting you. However, I said we would drive up to see it Saturday.”

“Look, I want a country house, too, but not sow. For the same reason we didn't buy a new car. Another few —”

“I didn't want a new car. Our auto works fine.”

“Okay, but I did. Another year or so and I'll be ready to make my move. By then Frank Kuhn may be a vice president, grease the way for me. You know our plans, why I can't be bogged down.”

She walked across the room to light a cigarette, although I had my lighter on the floor beside me. “Those are your plans. You have a respectable job, the pay is sufficient. It's secure. Jay was there for 32 years.”

“Would you want me to stay at Longson's for 32 years?”

“You could do worse.”

“Sweet, it isn't a question of doing worse but of hitting the upper brackets. I'm lucky. I have a chance at the big money if I play it smart. But I have to be ready to take the jump when the opportunity is ripe. And 'ready' means as few responsibilities, money worries, as possible. Especially with a recession in the wind. I've told you that and —”

“Yes, you have told me, over and over. We have been married seven years but you keep putting off having a baby, a family.”

“Oh, now, it's far too hot a night to start that.”

“If I can not talk with my husband about a family who should I speak to?”

“For—hell, don't be corny,” I said, getting up.

Moving backwards she said quickly, “Just stay where you are and talk. Norm, I want this settled tonight, but not with kisses and big talk.”

“I suggest we discuss it on a cooler night.”

“No.”

“Okay, but don't start crying.”

“I am not near tears.”

“Honey, we're still young. And the way you talk somebody would think we were having a rugged time, starving in a slum. If you want to give up your job, that's fine with me. All I ask is that you wait a—”

“There is no 'somebody' here, only myself and my hatband. We are living very comfortably. I like very much to keep living like this, but with our children.”

“I want kids, too. That's why I want to give them all the advantages of—”

“90% of the world's children would be more than happy with what we can give a child now. Norm-man, seven years! For seven years I have been wanting your children.”

“How about letting me finish a sentence, if you don't mind,” I said sharply. “And stop taking the children bit so big. You're not 25 yet, we've plenty of time. Look, Michele, this isn't Europe or France. This is America. To you I may seem a howling success but in the advertising world my salary is peanuts. I work for a publisher, not an agency. I'm not a pusher, a success chaser, but it happens I do face an opportunity, that I have some connections and I am the youngest ad manager in the business. I'd be stupid not to capitalize on this. You want me to stand still because you don't realize—”

“Stand still? I only want to further our happiness!”

“How? Listen, by comparison to what you were brought up on we may seem to be riding in the lap of plenty. But over here it's—”

“Merde!” Michele said, fighting back tears.

“What?” I mumbled, slightly shocked.

“Merde!”

“Isn't this dandy! If tears don't work, then change the act and start chattering in French!” I said sarcastically.

“It sounds better in your English? Dung! Crap!” she screamed.

“Aw, honey—”

“Or you rather that other expression I hear over here all the time, bull merde! Translation—”

“Damn it, Michele, take it easy. What the devil are you screaming about? A lousy old house isn't worth all this. Relax, damn it, relax!”

“Norm-man, you say take it easy,” she wailed as the tears came. “Does anyone know how to relax here in America? We can't have a baby until you are a rich man. We can't enjoy the country, can't do this and that! Oh, yes, yes, people live very well here, indeed. We have many shoes and clothing here, we have hot water, cars, refrigerators, TV and clock that awaken us with radio music. We live very... what you call... high. Oh, very high. So what will you do with more income, buy two TV sets, a larger ice machine? Is that what our children must wait for?”

“Hon, what is this? Now you're being silly,” I said gently, worried because I'd never seen her this upset before.

“Silly? You laugh at me because I say my prayers every night. And that is why I say them in French. Do you