Free Illusions of Love by Cynthia Freeman Page A

possible that his attraction is simply because he is different.”
    “Now wait a minute, Martin, Don’t you think I know when I’m in love?”
    “Well, you just said you were a little confused.”
    “Not about him, about them, their attitudes, their intolerance. They haven’t even met him, Martin, and they already assume that he’s not good enough for me. I’m not a child. I’m eighteen and I haven’t been as sheltered as you think. What I mean is, going to girls’ school you learn a lot. Now don’t get the wrong idea; I’m still a virgin. But don’t tell me I don’t know my own mind.” Once again she was on the verge of tears.
    “All right, I’m sorry I upset you. I guess I just didn’t put it
    right. What I’m trying to say is, before you start knocking down walls, be sure, absolutely sure, that he’s the man you want to marry.
    I think you have to get to know him better. “
    Sylvia sighed.
    “Gee, we seem to be saying ” sorry” a lot tonight. But I am. I didn’t mean to fly off the handle.”
    He smiled at her.
    After a long silence, Sylvia said, “Maybe you’re right. You know what I’m going to do, Martin? I’ve decided I’m going to live with Aunt Blanche for a while. Really get to know Maury better. And if I find that he’s right for me, I’ll fight like hell.”
    “That’s fair. But while you’re fighting, Sylvia, keep the door open so that you can always come home with or without your dentist.”
    She shook her head.
    “You know, I really love you, Martin. You’re such a good friend.”
    “That’s what it’s all about.”
    A week later, Martin was with Sylvia’s parents, seeing her off at the train station. They looked at each other as two friends do who share a very important secret. Then she mounted the steps to her compartment.
    Inside, she pulled up the shade and waved until the train pulled out of sight.
    For all the sage advice he had given Sylvia, Martin found it difficult maintaining good relations with his own parents. As the three of them sat having dinner that evening, Martin tried to be tolerant of his father’s attitudes, but found he couldn’t as his father began complaining about some of the new members being admitted to the country club.
    “Today it seems it’s only money that counts,” Julian was saying.
    “There’s an entirely new element taking over. They’ve got this Harry Shorn on the Greens Committee who wants to straighten out the eighteenth hole.”
    “Why would he want to do that?”
    “It’s probably a little too complicated for him. It’s the prettiest and most challenging drive of any course in the country and he can’t seem to leave it alone. In my day he would have never gotten through the front door. Well, I
     
    guess everything is changing. ” Julian was warming to his theme.
    “The whole country’s going to hell. I never thought I’d live to see the day when the government could pry into my private business affairs.
    Roosevelt won’t be happy until he sees the country go communist. And God knows he’s not doing anything to help the Jews. I tell you, Bess, it’s as though the old order of things is dying. Nobody gives a damn about perpetuating tradition any more. “
    The conversation had gotten far afield from Harry Shorn. In Julian’s mind Harry Shorn and Roosevelt became synonymous. Both represented a threat to the world as he knew it.
    Martin thought for a moment before saying anything. He’d met Shorn at the country club and to all outward appearances he seemed a suitable member.
    “Don’t you think that changes are good sometimes, Dad? I talked to Harry the other night and he seemed like he’d fit any where.”
    “Strip Harry Shorn of the tailor made suit and you have a man with no breeding. He’s ostentatious and obnoxious.”
    “I didn’t get that feeling. Dad.”
    “Well, you haven’t had to put up with some of the obscene jokes he tells at lunch. He simply doesn’t belong.”
    Martin was convinced that