Much to my surprise the conversation between Esther and I took a serious turn.
"Irv are you going to college next year?"
"I would like to. If I can get in." I didn't know very much about getting into any type of school after graduation. The following fall would lead to informed consideration due mainly to the efforts of Miss Strong, my geometry teacher and senior advisor.
"What do you want to study? Have you something in mind?"
I thought for some time and based my answer on a book I had read last summer, Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis. "I think I want to be a microbiologist. Like Arrowsmith … I think I would like to do research on deadly germs. Off in some lab somewhere. Finding cures for deadly plagues"
At the moment I partially believed it. I found the story of Arrowsmith very interesting. It was a story of heroic proportions. I wanted to do something like that; to give my life to a wonderful cause like science. Had I nurtured this tiny unselfish dream … who knows. I was too lazy, too immature.
"Irv, you and I could do it together, like Arrowsmith. You could be the scientist and I could be Laura. I could be a nurse. You could become a doctor. Just think we could study together, go to school together."
"Esther what are you saying. We would be together. We would be in love and get married."
"Yes, that's what I think I meant. I would be so good for you."
What a magnificent gesture. But it came too sudden. Didn't she know about Anna and me? I wasn't ready for such a direct statement and suggestion.
Esther was a dark haired girl of considerable attractiveness. The boys of United thought so, and contested for her favor. She was giving it to me without reservation. I was too young to realize its import. I was too much in love with another very lovely person.
"Esther I can't do that. Don't you know about Anna?"
"Everybody knows about you and Anna."