The U Turn 02:15

She had, to her satisfaction, the other side of the story. What the handsome blonde lady had told her—the indignation that it had left Goldy with, and the motivation to make her confrontation.

For all the old man's consternation about finishing "School," his young woman had barely made it. She had help from her reluctant mother, but of course her own father was enraged. And he, he had abandoned her. Abandoned them. Gold wanted to wave the Standard in his chiseled tan face—that twofaced flag of Hypocrisy. She at least had saved herself and her accidents till after high school, immediately after, but nevertheless, after.

Gold thought for sure Silver would be horrified; ask "Did she graduate?" and "How did she manage alone afterwards?" Silver did ask. She just didn't bother to ask her—meaning Goldy. She couldn't of course ask the blonde woman or contact her, without Gold's aid. She didn't know her name. Even to the end.

The blonde was friendly, natural, and kindly enough to endure Gold's unexpected arrival, as an almost daughter. She hugged her and her youthful pain, and she answered her questions with mastered emotion. She had now a son to be proud of, a blessing. It was for her all in the past, an "affair." Her heart was learned, but content. It was a heated relationship, with fiery passion of lust and spite. The kind of love where there is argument, jealousy, and rumors. "Friends" of friends. Perhaps she was too pretty, and he too handsome. No one likes to see a pair have it all.

They had met in the Art Lyceum. They'd been an item since her first year. He was one year older, and graduated before she gave birth. She said, he disappeared from their lives. They had had a row. She couldn't explain it except to say he refused to take responsibility. Perhaps she said he was still a boy not a man.

They'd both loved the name Matteo. And Matteo it was, a healthy and talented boy, artistically gifted in music and visual arts. Gold recalled the old man's ardent statements that he only wanted girls. It had made her feel good at the time. Valued.

Indignation rose in her. She knew he had taken off to America. He'd always said it was for a job offer. There was no offer on arrival. Odd. Now she knew why—there must have been no offer. He was running from a past he wanted to discard. The boy. She judged him harshly, and felt she was seeing him finally in an honest light. Why could not Silver also see him, as a cad? So much imagination, and she failed in basic sight.