Chapter 13

Two days later, Kip and Susan drove Chris to the airport in Kip's Javelin, and mother and son waited until the plane had safely left the ground before returning to the city.

There was a strange melancholy in the car during the drive back. Chris was gone, and they both missed him already. College would be starting in a week or so. Susan and Kip would be separated. The summer was coming to an end.

Instead of going home, they drove to the Loop and had lunch at the Little Italy, which was Kip's favorite restaurant. Then they went shopping, buying things for Kip's room at college.

In the furniture department of a State Street store, Kip spotted a lamp with a giant color picture of Mickey Mouse on it.

"Mom, look at that," he said, pointing to the lamp. They walked over to it.

"Mickey Mouse, my hero!" Kip said, laughing. He already had a Mickey Mouse wrist watch and a collection of rare vintage Mickey Mouse comic books. Now he wanted to have the lamp and Susan bought it for him.

"You know, you should do your whole room in early Mickey Mouse," Susan said kiddingly.

"Hey, that's a great idea!" Kip thought about it for a moment as the clerk wrapped the lamp. "I could get Mickey Mouse drapes and bedspread and.. . "

They bought a Mickey Mouse bedspread, trash can, poster, curtains, pillowcases, and sheets, as well as the lamp. Kip's room was all set. At least it was preferable to early Goodwill, which so many had to settle for.

Later that night, after dinner, Kip and Susan sat alone in the dark apartment. Only a candle burned on the table in front of them as they sat nestled in each other's arms.

"It's been such a beautiful summer." Kip said sadly. Susan kissed his cheek.

"Oh, Kip, Kip, my darling. I had no idea what would happen after you came home. I was afraid to attend your graduation, fearing you wouldn't like me or wouldn't forgive me for all those years of neglecting you. But then after the first few days with you, here in this apartment, I knew things were going to work out."

Kip smiled and looked into her eyes. "I look back now and only wish that I could have been as secure in our relationship as you were. It would have been so much easier.. . "

She cut him off. "Anyone in your position would have found the situation hard to handle, much less be secure in it. I had my days of doubt and guilt too, but those fears have passed over both of us. It will be strange without you living here."

"I don't want to leave you!" Kip responded quickly. "I can't stand the thought of having to wait for weekends. What if there is an evening free? I can't come home for the night! I'm so worried. I love you so much!" Kip was near tears. It was the only thing he hadn't resolved, that fear of having to be so far away from his beloved Susan.

"I have a surprise for you," Susan said, getting up from the couch. She walked over to her desk and took a large envelope from the top drawer. She pulled a picture from it and handed it to her son.

Kip looked at the photograph. He saw a picture of an A-frame house, a vacation home, surrounded by trees.

"Like it?" she asked, sitting near him again.

"What is it?"

"Our house in the woods."

His eyes opened wide. "What?"

"Well, I was going to wait till you were at school and then I was going to call you and invite you over for supper one evening."

"For supper?" Kip still didn't understand.

"This house is ours. We own it. It's about fifteen minutes by car from the university. Ten minutes by Javelin, the way you drive."

"You're kidding! YOU'RE KIDDING!" Kip jumped up and down. His heart was relieved, his fears resolved, his problems solved! Susan would be near him. He could spend cold winter nights with her. He could be with her any time he wanted.

"I don't know what to say," Kip told her honestly.

Susan put her arms around his neck and brought her face in line with his. "Say you're happy and you love me madly."

"Oh, Mom, I'm happy. And I won't say I love you madly. I'll prove it." He lifted Susan in his arms and carried her off to the bedroom.