The First Snow of Winter

by Fred Allen

  Marie-Louise, an only child doted on by her father and completely spoiled by her mother, did not take kindly to ground rules and Peter’s firm stand-despite his best of intentions-merely exacerbated the situation. Relations quickly went from bad to worse and while both Sandy and Robbie were aware of the increasing tension, Wee Willie continued to thrive as the center of attention of Sandy, Robbie and his father.

  As the wagon sped along, Marie-Louise’s mind returned to the present and the heated session with her husband last night was fresh in her mind. As soon as she mentioned David Vincent’s name she knew she had made a mistake. But Marie-Louise’s mouth had always been quicker than her brain, something she would never deny on the grounds that this trait merely reflected her spirit of independence.

  “So, Dr. Vincent’s name comes up again” Peter said, “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” and he embarked upon a very heavy lecture about the responsibility of parents, family loyalties and marital fidelity. He recalled his instructions about Anita and how Marie-Louise should limit their exposure to Anita and her friends. Included were instructions to limit Sandy’s baby sitting for Anita. More instructions and Marie-Louise was approaching the boiling point. Then back to Sandy’s condition and angry questioning on why he had not been told immediately she had found out. He kept on this subject for what it seemed an eternity and concluded with just how embarrassing it was to discover that she had told her old boy friend before she had told him. By this time Marie-Louise was so furious that she could barely suppress a retort that was on the very tip of her tongue and she turned her back to him.

  He must have noticed that she had been about to reply and, grasping her by the shoulders, turned her to face him. “You were about to say something. Come on, I want some answers!”

  And then, suddenly, Marie-Louise was out of control. All of the frustrations from years of boredom, resentment of his moralizing and orders relating to her personal life carried her beyond all reason. Her tone was steely and totally controlled as she answered him “You really want to know why I told David first…..well I’ll tell you! It’s because he’s her father, that’s why!”

  As soon as the words were out of her mouth Marie-Louise realized that, this time, her headstrong reaction had betrayed her and done damage that was irreparable. She watched as the shock spread across his face as the full meaning of her words sank in. His head sagged between his shoulders as he turned away from her breathing very heavily.

  Again she turned away from her husband but now realizing full well that she had gone too far. The truth was now out and there was no turning back. She closed her eyes but realized sleep would not come easily.

  After a few minutes she felt him stretch out on the bed beside her. He said nothing and she knew this silence could go on for days, but regardless of what happened the marriage was over. As emphasized in his many lectures to her and other members of the family, loyalty was everything. He often misquoted Field Marshall Montgomery as saying that loyalty was a miracle that worked by faith as where the actual quotation was that “discipline is a miracle that works by faith”. After being corrected, Peter merely attributed the same importance to loyalty whether applying to an army unit, a team or family. And the ultimate disloyalty in Peter’s eyes was infidelity.

  The thought that their union was coming to an end now took Marie-Louise’s mind back to when they had first met. It had been early in 1945, the war was drawing to a close and she was in her senior year in high school. It had been such a wonderful year in school. She was involved in just about everything: she was the star in her dance group, her father was home safely from the war although still in hospital in Montreal recovering from his wounds, and Marie-Louise was in love with David Vincent who was now in his second year of pre-med. She had known David since public school and as a member of one of the oldest families in the city David had the full approval of Marie-Louise’s mother.

  In January, David and Marie-Louise had crossed the line between petting and lovemaking. David was the more experienced but not the more enthusiastic. His parents’ summer home was just a short drive down the river from the city and was always available to him and that was where he had introduced a painfully eager Mary-Louise to this pleasure filled experience.

  Early in February, two important events occurred that would exert a long-term influence on an already crowded young life. First as the reigning Miss Quebec City and a star of the local dance group, she had been invited to participate in an upcoming Victory Bond Drive that would travel across Canada for six weeks entertaining troops and promoting the sale of War Bonds. The second event was the announcement in the local paper of the engagement of Suzanne Valaincourt, beloved daughter of Dr Allain and Rosemarie Valaincourt to David Vincent son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Vincent. Marie-Louise recoiled in shock. Suzanne Valaincourt, that awkward string bean. She and David had been an item in high school but David had told her that Suzanne was history. And now this!

  After repeated attempts, Marie-Louise finally got in touch with David. He assured her that he could explain everything but such a telephone conversation could expose them to family misunderstandings at both ends so he arranged to pick her up after school and take her out to the cottage.

  Once at the cottage his explanation did not seem that convincing. “It’s really a family thing” he offered. “Suzanne’s family and mine go back a long ways. Her father has one of the best practices in the city and he wants me to join him when I graduate and complete my internship. But Suzanne and I are a long way from being married. Besides, you’re the one I really love.” He kissed her warmly. “Please, Marie, just trust me.” But MarieLouise was not overwhelmed by the explanation, and his lips and roving hands appeared to reflect intentions to ease her into the bedroom more than encouraging her trust.

  “Let go of me you rotten bastard! Just keep your God damned hands off me! Take me home!” They drove home in silence until, just as they arrived at her house,

  David made one more effort. “Marie,” he pleaded. “Please try to understand. Just think it over. I’ll call you.”

  Marie-Louise replied. “Listen to me, you son of a bitch. If you want your sex, go to Suzanne. For you this easy lay is history!” And those were the last words she spoke to David for nearly ten years.

  “Isn’t David coming in?” she heard her mother call from the living room as she went quickly upstairs to her room. She did not answer and her mother obviously had her answer as she noted David had driven away.

  David called several times but she told him she had nothing to add to her parting remarks in the car. Her mother appeared to be just a little uncertain about her status with David, and Marie-Louise chose not to offer any further explanation. Besides, she was busier than ever. The rehearsals for the War Bond Show had commenced and lasted three hours each evening and all day Saturday. In addition she would be out of school for six weeks and she had several book reports and one major project to finish before the tour commenced.

  Peter Marshall, or that is, Lieutenant Peter Marshall, Victoria Cross, Military Medal and Bar, French Croix de Guerre, Mention-in-Dispatches, had arrived on the first day of rehearsal. So handsome, so distinguished so vulnerable as he moved around leaning heavily on his cane. It was obvious that he was still suffering some discomfort from his wounds and the overall image had all of the girls going ga ga-but not Marie-Louise. She was through with men.

  While the principal role for the war hero on the tour would be a pep talk on war bonds at strategic points in the program, he would be involved in several humorous skits and Marie-Louise found herself with major roles in two of these skits. The skits were really rather silly but assumed that the formula of combining pretty girls, soldiers and possible sex, would draw the desired laughs and be particularly effective in those portions of the program that were aimed at entertaining the troops. Once or twice in each skit Marie-Louise would find herself in Peter’s arms, in rather sugg
estive positions and quoting lines heavy with double entendre. Many other girls with only roles in the chorus were jealous of Marie-Louise. She thought this to be very silly of them but she was pleased that the professional director had selected her for these parts. Peter Marshall was certainly very attractive but she was through with men for life.

  For very healthy and attractive girls of eighteen the duration of “being off men for life” was between two and three weeks and two weeks later the bond tour was in Winnipeg and Peter Marshall was becoming more attractive as each day passed. Those deep thinkers on the subject of the three letter word describing the attraction between healthy young men and women often identify the prime motivating factors as opportunity and proximity. In the case of Peter and Marie-Louise, these factors presented themselves in such a pronounced manner that it was almost unfair to Marie-Louise and her vow of life long chastity. In both of their skits, at least one heavy clinch between them was required concluding with a long whistle provoking kiss.

  Of course they could fake it. The distance from audience to stage in most venues was sufficient to project the required impression. After about twenty performances-matinees included-they became very adept at faking it. But for a matinee for troops at a veteran’s hospital in Winnipeg they encountered a seating arrangement that had the front rows of the audience almost on the stage. And almost the entire front row consisted of wheel chairs occupied by “old sweats” repatriated from Europe for treatment of their war wounds. Faking it at this distance and before these grizzled veterans just would not work. So they played it straight. There was no pre-planning required because they both recognized the problem and the only solution. But they were both pleasantly surprised at how much they enjoyed the experience and they were highly gratified at the response of the audience. For the other two performances in Winnipeg, despite performing in spacious accommodation, there was not even a suggestion of returning to faking it.

  Peter was in love. The long lingering bitterness from his experience with Connie was washed away by the charm and vivacity of this beautiful girl from Quebec City. But Marie-Louise’s wounds were more recent and still painful even considering the recuperative powers of a healthy eighteen-year-old. She was attracted to the very handsome young war hero and it was quite natural that she take some pleasure from being the target of envy of all the other girls in the show. Peter was her constant companion at the many events associated with the show and was always kind, considerate and the perfect gentlemen. His constant pleasant, companionship was gradually modifying the “rotten bastards” description of all men that had been etched so vividly in her mind by her experience with David. And then there were the intimate clinches in the skits which, with at least two shows a day, and faking it no longer even a consideration, she found her body was responding in a predictable manner…….

  Two developments spurred the evolution of this relationship. First, the young grass widow from Quebec City who had volunteered to serve as chaperone developed a romantic interest in the director of the show. This resulted in a significant reduction in the very diligent manner in which she had performed her duties. Bed checks in both evenings and mornings were no longer performed as she and the director appeared to have arrived at a more economical sleeping arrangement and the girls in the cast of the show had much greater freedom to pursue normal social lives. The second development arose, as Marie-Louise became increasingly aware that her period was late and twinges of nausea each morning left really no doubt that she was pregnant.

  When the show reached Regina for several shows, Marie-Louise was getting just a little desperate and feeling very vulnerable. Here she was, thousands of miles from home and with nobody to turn to. At the same time, she realized that things wouldn’t have been that different had she been in Quebec City. She just couldn’t see herself telling her mother; and going to David on her hands and knees begging that he make an honest woman of her was the very last thing she would do. Rough calculations brought her to the conclusion that the baby would be born at about the same time as the date announced for David and Suzanne’s wedding.

  The first night in Regina Marie-Louise’s roommate had permission to spend the night with relatives and Marie-Louise attended the usual reception for the cast following the final show escorted, as usual, by Peter. The chaperone and the director left early but separately as though convinced that their little secret was still intact so the girls were able to have a few glasses of wine and, at Marie-Louise’s insistence, two gins and tonic. She had heard of this drink somewhere, probably in a movie, and had always wanted to just order one. Well, she still couldn’t order one but Peter could and it didn’t really take that much arm twisting to persuade him to order one for her and, with just a little more persuasion, including a couple of rehearsals of what they did in their skits, convinced him that one more little drink wouldn’t do any harm.

  They were both just a little tipsy as they rode home in the chartered bus and it felt very good to have his arms around her providing a temporary refuge from her problem. At the hotel there was no sign of the chaperone. As they made their way up the stairs Peter suggested that they should look for the chaperone first trying the director’s suite but Marie-Louise giggled and declined. Always the perfect gentleman, Peter insisted on escorting her to her room and taking her key to unlock the door. When the door swung open Marie-Louise, ever the creature of impulse, pulled him into the room and pressed herself against him as the door swung shut behind him. As he kissed her she reached behind him and locked the door. In the tiny room it was only a step to her bed and they collapsed upon it.

  Peter was just a little surprised, first by the ominous click as she locked the door and then, as they collapsed on the bed, she offered absolutely no resistance. Their kiss continued as they lay in a jumbled mass of winter coats, heavy boots and even their scarves. After nearly three years of being on the prowl with Sharkey in London, Paris, Brussels and many points between, Peter was not lacking in experience. But this was not quite the same. He did not agree with Sharkey’s basic philosophy that all women are the same. During many casual encounters in several different countries he had often wondered how he would act with nice girls when he returned home. He usually recalled his experiences with his former girlfriend, the treacherous Connie, but she didn’t really count because she was just a disloyal slut. But Marie-Louise was different, she was a nice girl whom he idolized and was prepared to idealize.

  There was no lessening in her intensity. As he removed his lips from hers she drew him back to her, her lips slightly parted and now her tongue brushing against his. “Marie, Marie,” he whispered through lips just barely separated from hers. “I love you so much. Let’s just take it easy. We mustn’t do something that we’ll regret.” But the words had absolutely no effect on MarieLouise as she returned her lips to his with her tongue regaining contact with his. Her body had moved so that they had full frontal contact and he could feel her moving against him.

  For Marie-Louise, her first reaction was a feeling of security wrapped in his strong arms; and the contact of his lips and the warmth of his body stirred up emotions in her that swept all of her worries and fears from her mind. She felt so safe and the continuing contact of his body had the natural result of arousal with the memories of the pleasures experienced with David fairly fresh in her mind.

  Peter was only human and, despite his initial reluctance, found that he lacked the strength to hold back any longer. There was the frantic activity of undressing. Four hands reaching, pulling and tugging as bodies arched in compliance and cooperation, and suddenly his bare chest was against her bare breasts and she felt her legs around his hips and their bodies were locked in the ultimate embrace.

  It was over very quickly as they made no effort to control the passion and vigor of two healthy young bodies or prolong the waves of pleasure that swept through their bodies and which left them collapsed in each other arms.

  As she opened
her eyes, she found that he was looking directly into her eyes. He looked so serious; he seemed on the verge of tears. “Marie, Marie, my darling, “he whispered. “I’m so sorry. I love you so much.” She did not reply and was quite satisfied in the safety of his arms as her body remained aglow with the memory of the pleasures that were only now ebbing away. He was really so sweet and gentle and so different from David and his rough self-serving lovemaking.

  For a long time they lay in each other arms saying nothing. Marie-Louise had really no desire to break the spell but their young virile bodies recovered quickly and expressed desires through the obvious indications of arousal. Then, it was happening again and this time they exercised some control over the seemingly insatiable demands of their bodies. He moved slowly against her and she responded with a similar rhythm that ended only when they reached the pinnacle together and, once again, collapsed in each other’s arms.

  When she opened her eyes this time he was dressed and sitting on the side of her bed. He kissed her gently and told her again that he loved her and asked her to marry him. “Don’t answer now,” he told her placing his finger on her lips. “Just think about it.” He left and just in the nick of time because the chaperone had selected this morning to resume her bed checks. MarieLouis fell asleep with Peter’s proposal fresh in her mind.

  The tour continued to Edmonton, on to Calgary and the final leg to Vancouver with one performance scheduled for Victoria. Opportunities for Marie-Louise and Peter to be alone together were now limited by the chaperone’s resumption of greater vigilance in the supervision of her vulnerable young charges. There were a few opportunities for a quick embrace and kiss that served as tantalizing appetizers for promised pleasures now denied. Their most rewarding opportunities came during the clinches that concluded their skits during the shows where their scenes were that effective that they elicited repeated congratulations from both the director and the chaperone.