He momentarily feigns alarm, then says, “I’ve admired how you strive to learn new things. I’m not worried.”
She looks down in disbelief at the sparkling diamond.
“Saffee.” Jack takes her face in his hands. “You are everything I want in a wife. You’re smart. You’re sensible. You’re honest. You’re real. You’re responsible. And not last, and not least, you’re beautiful.”
His kiss rules out rebuttal.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
THE WEDDING
Reverend Price raises his shaggy eyebrows and looks over his glasses. “Which one of you will be taking care of the finances?” he asks.
They answer together, “I will,” and exchange looks of surprise.
“I will,” Jack repeats.
“But I’d be happy to,” Saffee insists, not because she’s given it any thought or is qualified (she’s not), but just because she wants to be agreeable to do her part.
Jack, the math whiz and business major, looks slightly perturbed. Reverend Price, senior minister of the Lutheran church Saffee had attended with Gloria, is familiar with naive young lovers on their way to the altar. He smiles a bit wearily.
“How about children?” he continues. “How large of a family do you plan to have?”
Neither one answers. None goes through Saffee’s mind. They haven’t talked about this either. Not that Jack was unwilling to talk about it, but because she found ways to change the subject.
“Mmm.” Reverend Price taps his fingertips together. “Perhaps you two have a few things to discuss before we meet again next week.”
They planned to eat out after the counseling session, but when they get into the car, Jack doesn’t even start the motor. They both feel impressed to immediately discuss the matters Reverend Price brought up.
Saffee apologizes about her presumption to take care of their finances and assures him that she knows he can do it better than she. Saffee’s dad sent her signed checks throughout college and she’s never even balanced a checkbook.
“How about children?” Jack asks.
Children? Saffee become a mother? Unimaginable. She looks down at the diamond engagement ring. A lump rises in her throat. It seems that children often do go along with marriage. What is she getting into? She decides to be noncommittal but is curious to know what Jack’s view is.
“Well, um. What do you think?”
He tells her that it would be unwise to have children until he is finished with actuarial exams. “I couldn’t study after work all the time and be a good father too,” he says. For his age, Jack is ahead in the program. Of the ten examinations, he has five to go, which, if he passes each one as it comes, will take two and a half years. She is relieved; that sounds like a long way off.
“So, after that, just for conversation, how about one?” he suggests.
“One? An only child might be pretty lonesome, don’t you think?” She wants to sound open to possibilities. “If we ever have one, maybe there should be two,” she says recklessly. “I’ve never liked uneven numbers.”
“So then, two? And what if there’s a number three?”
“Oh no. Then we’d have to have four. That’s way too many.” She looks him squarely in the face. “Actually, Jack, don’t you think no children would be best? Why do we need more than just you and me?”
“I guess that sounds okay with me too,” Jack says, pulling her close. “We can always change our minds.”
It doesn’t seem necessary to tell him that her mind is already made up.
They move on to another topic—handling disagreements. Neither one imagines they will have any.
My life will be different.
Supporting themselves? Jack’s job is going well; Saffee plans to continue working at the university library. She’s switched from typing cards to locating items in the stacks and checking out materials at the front desk. They were both raised to be frugal; financially, they’ll get by.
Getting along with in-laws? Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have embraced Saffee with cordiality. After the engagement was announced, they invited Nels to come to their home in Minneapolis and they all had an enjoyable dinner together. Jack has not met her mother. Saffee hopes to forestall that until the wedding.
At the second meeting with Reverend Price, Jack and Saffee clarify their decisions, making an effort to cover their former naiveté. The hour passes quickly. Reverend Price prays over them and they prepare to leave. He motions them to wait.
“On your wedding night,” he says, “before you get into bed, get down on your knees. Thank God for each other. Thank Him for your marriage. Ask Him to bless it.”