Louisa by Simone Zelitch

Author:Simone Zelitch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Feminist, Human Rights/Ethics, Religious
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2001-10-15T16:00:00+00:00

THAT AFTERNOON, he met Louisa at school. Perhaps he planned to tell her he was going to become a pilot. Due to his cold, he took a trolley. He hadn’t seen her for a few days, and as the trolley rattled across Margit Bridge, he wondered what sort of greeting she would give him, but she only smiled, surprised to find him waiting. She didn’t kiss him, but she didn’t seem to hold back out of resentment. Rather, she simply fell in beside him as they walked together.

“You look like a rose in bloom,” Gabor said. “You must have a new boyfriend.”

Louisa only laughed; she did look fine that afternoon, particularly in contrast to Gabor, who should have been in bed. Her face glowed, and her laughter was so free and candid that Gabor wondered if he’d hit on the truth. Then, Louisa asked, “Why don’t you meet my family?”

Gabor said, “I’ve never been invited.”

“Well, I’m inviting you. Christmas Eve.”

It had the edge of an announcement. As though someone had set upon his eye a sharper lens, Gabor saw everything again, and in as steady a voice as he could muster, he asked, “Lu, are you pregnant?”

Louisa blushed, but her lips turned pale. “How could you even think that?”

“Well, it’s not impossible,” Gabor said, reasonably enough.

“How can I be pregnant,” Louisa said, “when I’m going on that tour?”

Nonplused at this series of revelations, Gabor took the young girl in his arms and held her close. He tried not to notice the rapid beating of her heart. She had invited him to her own farewell party, and the relief he felt was mixed with something sharper. He wasn’t completely lucid when he said, “Of course I’ll be there. With bells on!”

He thought: That angel, that kid. He ought to get her something nice for Christmas.

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