Cracks

19.7 Linda West

Spring 1998, The Scarlet Rose

When Linda entered, she found the restaurant her boyfriend had invited her for their first anniversary even more fancy than it had looked from outside.

"This place looks gorgeous!", she said to Brian.

"Not even half as gorgeous as you, darling!", he replied smiling, while arranging her chair for her.

"Thank you, Brian!", Linda said.

Slowly she had become used to get so many compliments from him.

The waiter arrived to bring the wine card. He was so quiet, Linda barely noticed him approaching.

"I hope you don't mind that I preordered a menue for us already?", Brian asked her. "Like this we wouldn't be bothered."

"It's fine!"

Linda didn't mind, as long as it wouldn't be anything weird.

She let Brian chose the wine, too.

When their food arrived, Linda noticed it actually looked weird. But not in a bad way. And she was in such a good mood because she could finally see Brian again after his two-week business trip, that she even was willing to give it a try.

"This looks really great!", she smiled.

"Only the best is good enough to celebrate our first anniversary", her boyfriend smiled back at her.

So many things had happened since she had met him. Her sister got married, her best friend had a baby, and she had finished her dissertation.

And in all between, she had dated Brian.

Linda sighed. "The time really passed fast..."

"And it was wonderful. You are wonderful, Linda!", Brian said to her.

She felt a warmth coming up her cheeks and had to chuckle.

Not only had she got used to his compliments, but slowly she even felt flattered.

Like compliments should make you feel.

"I mean it", Brian insisted. "I cannot imagine anyone else to be by my side anymore."

"Brian - "

Linda felt touched, but also a bit nervous.

"And therefore I would like to ask you – Linda West, would you do me the honour and be my wife?"

"Oh... oh my god..." Linda stuttered.

She hadn't been prepared for this.

At all.

"Linda?"

"Yes...", she finally managed to say. "Yes, I would like to!"

She would be able look at his beautiful face every morning! Wouldn't that be just so perfect?

Now Brian sighed. "I almost thought you would reject me! But now you make me the happiest man in the world! It will be so nice coming home after work to my sweet little wife and a home cooked meal!"

Linda had to chuckle.

"Except that I normally work longer than you", she said then.

He would rather have to wait for it.

Brian seemed confused for a second. "Why would you keep working?"

Linda didn't understand why she should quit.

"Huh? I like my job...", she said, confused.

Brian smiled and gave her a teasing look. "I guess you'll think differently after our first baby is born!"

"What, baby??"

Oh crap. Linda had forgotten that marriage usually involved babies sooner or later. Which meant she would have to quit. No chance getting meaningful results in the lab while taking care of a baby.

"Of course!", Brian said. "Our children will be wonderful!"

"I think I prefer my research...", she said insecurely.

"Oh - don't be so unreasonable!" Brian even laughed now. "What would you even want with all that sciency stuff?"

Linda started to feel her blood pulsing. "Unreason- ", she started, but Brian hadn't finished.

"You're a woman, after all!", he said, smiling his I-know-it-better-than-you-anyway-smile.

Linda had seen it so often.

And she was so angry of herself that she only realized its meaning now.

"I'm not gonna marry you to be your housekeeper and babysitter!", she said, with all the composure she could pull up now.

She hadn't the nerves to stay any longer. So she got up to leave.

"Linda!", she heard him calling her behind her.

She remembered something, and turned back.

"And I like my cat shoes!", she spat at him.

Then she left for good.