Sons of Fortune

Joanna laughed. “Try not to forget, freshman, that what we’ve been through during the past few weeks may also be affecting your judgment.”

“I don’t agree. I believe the experience can only have strengthened our relationship.”

“That’s possible,” said Joanna, “but in the long run, you should never make an irreversible decision on the back of good or bad news, because it’s just possible that one of us will feel differently when this all blows over.”

“Do you feel differently?” asked Jimmy quietly.

“No, I don’t,” said Joanna firmly, as she touched his cheek. “But my parents have been married for nearly thirty years, and my grandparents lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary, so when I get married I want it to be for life.”

“All the more reason for us to get married as quickly as possible,” said Jimmy. “After all, I’m going to have to live to the age of seventy if we hope to celebrate our golden wedding.”

Joanna laughed. “I’ll bet your friend Fletcher would agree with me.”

“You could be right, but you’re not marrying Fletcher. In any case, my bet is that he and my sister will be together for at least fifty years.”

“Freshman, I couldn’t love you anymore if I wanted to, but remember that I’ll be at Columbia next fall, and you’ll still be at Yale.”

“But you can still change your mind about taking that job at Columbia.”

“No, it was only public opinion that forced the board to reverse their decision. If you’d seen the look on their faces when they delivered their verdict, you’d have realized they couldn’t wait to see the back of me. We’ve made our point, freshman, so I think it would be better for everyone if I moved on.”

“Not everyone,” said Jimmy quietly.

“Because once I’m no longer around to haunt them, they’re going to find it far easier to amend the rules,” said Joanna, ignoring his comment. “In twenty years’ time, students will never believe such a ridiculous regulation even existed.”

“Then I’ll have to get myself a commuter ticket to New York, because I’m not going to let you out of my sight.”

“I’ll be at the station to meet you, freshman, but while I’m away, I hope you’ll take out other women. Then, if you still feel the same way about me on the day you graduate, I’ll be happy to say yes,” she added as the alarm went off.

“Hell,” said Jimmy, as he leaped out of bed, “can I use the bathroom first, because I’ve a nine o’clock lecture, and I don’t even know what the subject is.”

“Napoleon and his influence on the development of American law,” said Joanna.

“I thought you told us that American law was more influenced by the Romans and the English than any other nation?”

“Half a mark, freshman, but you’ll still need to attend my nine o’clock lecture if you hope to find out why. By the way, do you think you could do two things for me?”

“Only two?” said Jimmy as he turned on the shower.

“Could you stop staring at me like a lost puppy whenever I give a lecture?”

Jimmy stuck his head back around the door, “No,” he said, as he watched Joanna slip out of her nightie. “What’s the second?”

“Well, could you at least look interested in what I’m saying, and perhaps even take the occasional note?”

“Why should I bother to take notes when it’s you who grades my papers?”

“Because you won’t be pleased with the grade I’ve given your latest effort,” said Joanna, as she joined him in the shower.

“Oh, and I was hoping for an A for that particular masterpiece,” said Jimmy as he began soaping her breasts.

“Do you by any chance recall who you suggested was the biggest influence on Napoleon?”

“Josephine,” said Jimmy without hesitation.

“That might even have been the correct answer, but it isn’t what you wrote in your essay.”

Jimmy stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel. “What did I write?” he asked, turning to face her.