“You won’t change my mind, Jimmy, because if I take part in the debate, it will be to oppose the motion.”
“You do like to make life difficult for me, don’t you, Fletcher. Well, one thing’s for certain, the organizers will welcome your participation.”
“Why’s that?” asked Fletcher.
“Because they haven’t been able to find anyone half electable who is willing to put the case against withdrawal.”
“Are you sure,” asked Nat quietly.
“Yes, I am,” replied Rebecca.
“Then we must get married as soon as possible,” said Nat.
“Why?” asked Rebecca. “We live in the sixties, the age of the Beatles, pot, and free love, so why shouldn’t I have an abortion?”
“Is that what you want?” asked Nat in disbelief.
“I don’t know what I want,” said Rebecca. “I only found out this morning. I need some more time to think about it.”
Nat took her hand. “I’d marry you today if you’d have me.”
“I know you would,” said Rebecca, squeezing his hand, “but we have to face the fact that this decision will affect the rest of our lives. We shouldn’t rush into it.”
“But I have a moral responsibility to you and our child.”
“And I have my future to consider,” said Rebecca.
“Perhaps we should tell our parents, and see how they react?”
“That’s the last thing I want to do,” said Rebecca. “Your mother will expect us to get married this afternoon, and my father will turn up on campus with a shotgun under his arm. No, I want you to promise you won’t mention that I’m pregnant to anyone, especially our parents.”
“But why?” pressed Nat.
“Because here’s another problem…”
“How’s the speech coming on?”
“Just finished the third draft,” said Fletcher cheerfully, “and you’ll be happy to learn that it’s likely to make me the most unpopular student on campus.”
“You do like making my task more difficult…”
“Impossible is my ultimate aim,” admitted Fletcher. “By the way, who are we up against?”
“Some guy called Tom Russell.”
“What have you found out about him?”
“Went to Taft.”
“Which means that we have a head start,” said Fletcher with a grin.
“No, I’m afraid not,” said Jimmy. “I met him at Mory’s last night, and I can tell you he’s bright and popular. I can’t find anyone who doesn’t like him.”
“Have we got anything going for us?”
“Yes, he admitted that he’s not looking forward to the debate. He’d rather support another candidate, if the right one came forward. Sees himsel
f as more of a campaign organizer than a leader.”