Chapter Nine

Nora squeezed Bo’s hand reassuringly. They had just returned from their picnic. Now was the moment of truth. He was going to ask Nora’s father for her hand.

“Are you ready?” she asked him.

“Yes, but...I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous,” Bo told her.

“Don’t worry...he doesn’t bite.”

“Oh? Well, he might. No one has ever tried to take his daughter before.”

Nora laughed, then gave Bo a little kiss of assurance. “Come on,” she said.

They walked into the house hand-in-hand and found Lenny Hanen in the parlor reading the paper.

“Well, hello kids...did you have a nice time?”

“Yes sir, very nice. Beautiful weather out there today,” Bo said trying to make small talk.

“Where’s Mom?” Nora asked.

“She’s in the kitchen making food. We got some bad news, Nora. Jim Casey was killed. The Caseys just received the news this afternoon.”

“No,” Nora murmured in disbelief seating herself on the sofa.

“I’m afraid so, honey. I’m sorry. I know you two were good buddies growing up.” Then in explanation he told Bo, “The Caseys live in the house next door.”

“I see.” Bo said. He sat next to Nora and took her hand in his.

At that moment, Mrs. Hanen entered the room drying her hands on a dish towel. “Len, that food is ready to take over to the Casey’s whenever you’re ready.”

“Alright Mama,” he said rising from his chair.

Bo looked at Nora. He had to be back at the base by 6:00. They had little time to talk to Mr. Hanen. Now he was getting ready to leave.

“Daddy, wait,” Nora said rising. Bo stood beside her. “We wanted to talk with you...actually, Bo wanted to talk with you.”

Lenny Hanen looked at Bo.

Bo began...“Sir...as you know, Nora and I have been spending a lot of time together these last few months and…well, sir...I have fallen in love with your daughter...and she loves me. We’re in love and...I would like to ask for her hand, sir.” All of a sudden, Bo was sweating profusely. He only hoped Mr. Hanen wouldn’t notice.

“You would? So you’re saying you want to marry my beautiful young daughter?” Mr. Hanen paused a moment before continuing. “Just how long have you two known each other? Seems like it hasn’t been that long. Not long enough to make that kind of commitment anyway. What’s it been? a month?”

“We met in March, sir…” began Bo.

“Early March,” Nora concurred.

“And it’s just the end of April,” added Mr. Hanen. “No. No offense, son, but that isn’t long enough to make a life-long commitment. Out of the question.”

“Sir...I’m not a child…” Bo began again.

“Oh...I know you’re not a child. You’re much older than my Nora. Just how old are you anyway? And why are you interested in a young thing like my daughter?”

“Daddy!” Nora said.

“Don’t you interrupt me, Nora. Let the boy answer.”

By this time, a little of the Buchanan temper was rising to the surface, but Bo worked to keep it in check.

“You’re right sir, I’m not a ‘boy’. I’m a 28-year-old man. I am responsible, I am respected, I come from a family of means and of good reputation. Your daughter will lack for nothing in this life...and she will certainly not lack for love. Why am I interested in your daughter? Well...I can assure you sir, it is not because she’s young. I fell in love with her because she’s bright and witty and smart and kind and…” He glanced at Nora. “She’s beautiful... inside and out. I imagine you fell in love with Mrs. Hanen for some of these very same reasons.”

“This isn’t about Mrs. Hanen. This is about my daughter…” Mr. Hanen began.

“Daddy...if I’m not mistaken, Mama was barely twenty when you married her,” Nora said.

“That was different! Times were different then!” Mr. Hanen declared. “But now...this world is turned upside down...life is uncertain…”

“Exactly!” interrupted Nora. “All the more reason to grab all the happiness you can while you can! Daddy! James Casey is dead! He’s 21-years-old and he’s dead! He was just a few months older than me...we rode bikes together, made leaf forts, had snowball fights...he gave me my first kiss...and now he’s gone! You’re right, Daddy, life is uncertain.”

She stopped a moment to collect her composure before continuing, “You know I love you, Daddy...and I really want your blessing; but...with or without your blessing, I’m going to marry Bo. I love him.”

Nora felt Bo’s hand on the small of her back in support as she wiped away her tears. She stood her ground and looked at her father boldly.

Mr. Hanen shuffled on his feet and turned to Bo. “Have you been married before, son?” he asked.

“No, sir."

“And you’re going off to serve. Just how are you planning to support a wife?”

“I was working for my father’s business, Buchanan Enterprises. I am still on the payroll there. I’ll be transferring my accounts into both of our names when we marry. She will lack for nothing, I promise you.”

“I see…” said Mr. Hanen rubbing his chin. “

Bo added, “I love her, sir. If I couldn’t provide for her, I wouldn’t ask for her hand, I promise you that.”

Lenny looked from Bo to Nora. “You know what marriage is about,” he said. “You’ve seen your mother and I...and your grandparents...it’s a commitment. A forever commitment...a stick-to-it through lots of trials and hard times commitment…”

Nora nodded her head. “I know that, Daddy...I’ve had great examples. I know it’s for life...I want to go through life with Bo…”

Lenny let out a sigh. “WelI...I guess I can’t fight young love,” he said with resignation. Alright...you’re welcome to have the ceremony here in the parlor if you like. We can ask Rabbi Levinson…”

“You mean it?” Nora threw herself into his arms. “Oh, thank you, Daddy! Thank you!” She hugged him tight. He held her in his arms and spoke to Bo over her shoulder, “You promise you’ll take care of her? If you don’t, I swear I’ll hunt you down and take her back.”

“Yes, I will sir. You have my word, sir.” Bo said extending his hand for a firm handshake.

Bo turned to Mrs. Hanen. “Thank you, Ma’am,” he said extending his hand to her also.

“You’re soon to be family. I’d rather welcome you with a hug,” she said, “Come here.”

* * * * * * *

Later that night, Selma quietly crawled into bed with Lenny trying not to wake him.

She and Nora had stayed up late making wedding plans...the wedding was to be on May 12th, only two weeks away.

She was surprised when Lenny asked, “Did you get everything done?”

“We have everything written down on paper. There’s a lot to do though,” she told him. “I’m surprised you’re still awake.”

“I can’t sleep. I can’t believe my baby girl is getting married…” Lenny said into the darkness.

“Well, it’s true. And you know what that means, Len? We’ll be ‘empty-nesters’. It’ll be just the two of us again. Some of my friends are empty-nesters, and they say it reignites the old fires...if you know what I mean.”

Lenny looked at Selma, barely able to see her silhouette in the darkness.

“Reignites? My fire never went out,” he grumbled.

Selma chuckled. “Are you kidding me, Len? Your pilot light is barely burning...and it’s been like that for years!”

“Selma! You know that’s not true. Why...with the least bit of encouragement, my fires could burn a hole through this mattress.”

Selma laughed aloud.

“Go ahead and laugh, but after this wedding is over...when we’re empty nesters...you had better be ready…”

Then he let his hand slip to her side of the bed and fondle her knee.

“Leonard Hanen! Stop that!” she said giggling and slapping his hand away.

“Just you wait...you’ll see…” Lenny said before he rolled over to get some sleep.