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They were sitting on a park bench while Greg took a breather from throwing a football with Georgy.
"I'm glad he's too young to fight," Jacky said.
"Me, too."
They both looked at their son, standing talking to a blond girl about his age. The laces of his Keds were undone and his shirt was untucked. He was twelve years old and growing up. He had a few soft black hairs on his upper lip, and he seemed three inches taller than last week.
"We've been bringing our troops home as fast as we can," Greg said. "So have the British and the French. But the Red Army stayed put. Result: they now have three times as many soldiers in Germany as we do."
"Americans don't want another war."
"You can say that again. And Truman hopes to win the presidential election in November, so he's going to do everything he can to avoid war. But it may happen anyway."
"You're getting out of the army soon. What are you going to do?"
There was a quaver in her voice that made him suspect the question was not as casual as she pretended. He looked at her face, but her expression was unreadable. He answered: "Assuming America is not at war, I'm going to run for Congress in 1950. My father has agreed to finance my campaign. I'll start as soon as the presidential election is over."
She looked away. "Which party?" She asked the question mechanically.
He wondered if he had said something to upset her. "Republican, of course."
"What about marriage?"
Greg was taken aback. "Why do you ask that?"
She was looking hard at him now. "Are you getting married?" she persisted.
"As it happens, I am. Her name is Nelly Fordham."
"I thought so. How old is she?"
"Twenty-two. What do you mean, you thought so?"
"A politician needs a wife."
"I love her!"
"Sure you do. Is her family in politics?"
"Her father is a Washington lawyer."
"Good choice."
Greg felt annoyed. "You're being very cynical."
"I know you, Greg. Good Lord, I fucked you when you weren't much older than Georgy is now. You can fool everyone except your mother and me."
She was perceptive, as always. His mother had also been critical of his engagement. They were right: it was a career move. But Nelly was pretty and charming and she adored Greg, so what was so wrong? "I'm meeting her for lunch near here in a few minutes," he said.
Jacky said: "Does Nelly know about Georgy?"
"No. And we must keep it that way."
"You're right. Having an illegitimate child is bad enough; a black one could ruin your career."
"I know."
"Almost as bad as a black wife."
