bond of mutual affection. The years of their acquaintance, similarities in social background, and shared traits, especially a fondness for economizing, although Helen would never be the cheapskate Bill was, strengthened their connection. Despite their actual ages and Bill’s temporarily injured body, they felt themselves to be again in the prime of life. More than the hope of spring had touched them. They were filled with the freshness and vitality that infuses nature during that season and were experiencing the joys of tender, continually intensifying young love, Helen for the second time in her life, Bill for the first.
Their friends had been forced to change some of their opinions. Stan, who had always thought Bill a dumb dog when it came to women, now started calling him a lucky dog. When he visited, little by little, laughing plenty, he told Helen all of Bill’s hapless romantic adventures that he had heard, so she would know how much better she was than anyone before her. Helen smiled at the stories, most of which were new to her, and smothered her laughs, until she was alone. Bill told him to shut up once in a while. But mostly he hung his head sheepishly, as much as he could in the brace or body support, and wondered why it had taken him so long to come to his senses.
Sandra and Joan were not as friendly toward Bill, as Stan was to Helen. For the first few months that Helen took care of Bill, Sandra only had equivocal comments about what she was doing, while Joan tried to have none. It would slip out, however, that Joan thought Helen was wasting her life. After those first few months, when they saw that Helen’s entire day had begun to revolve around Bill’s recovery, and they heard that he was rapidly improving, they invented an excuse and made a surprise visit to Bill’s apartment. They had to see for themselves how well Helen and Bill got along. When they observed how compliant, patient, and appreciative Bill was, they began to think their own husbands materially deficient. When they saw how easy and affectionate the interaction was between Helen and Bill, they felt a slight twinge of envy, but that was a passing sensation. They left, happy for Helen, completely persuaded that people, even a person like Bill, can change for the better.
When Marie heard that some woman had volunteered to care for her brother, she was so shocked she couldn’t pick up a cigarette for half a day. For several days, uncle Joe had to fend for himself, because of her near catatonic state. At last, she decided that she simply had to see who this female wonder of the world was, so she invited herself over to Bill’s place for Sunday dinner. It was the first time she had stepped foot in his studio in over a decade. Her brother’s personality was altered so much and Helen was so warm and welcoming that she stayed for hours. She didn’t even mind when he called her sis. After that, she came over regularly, always bringing her husband and uncle Joe for the main Sunday meal. Helen’s culinary skills inspired her to try cooking a dish for those get-togethers, but after a few attempts she decided it was simpler and more delectable to pick up something to bring instead.
When Bill had recovered enough to use his Blackberry by himself, he let Linda know that he was no longer available to see her. She congratulated him for finally leaving her alone, since she was sick of him. But when he didn’t respond to her subsequent, multiple, abusive text messages, she eventually perceived that he was truly never going to see her again. With fervor, she set out to find a more fitting subject for her fondness and ferocity.
There was only one obstacle, a minor one, on the path to Helen and Bill’s unfurling union: They had to find a new hairdresser, since neither of them wanted to see Donna again. Catherine had called from the salon soon after Bill’s return home, to express what sorrow she could at his mishap, and she offered to cut his hair at his apartment, without any surcharge. But Bill thought she merely wanted to torment him, while Helen thought she wanted to gather gossip. With Bill’s consent, Helen declined her offer, saying that Bill had decided to shave his head, as Catherine had once suggested, and wouldn’t need someone of her talent