The Sunny Side of the Street (Details)
citation: McCall's, October 1962, XC(1):106-107, 192, 194-196
alias: None
teaser: Now look,
he said to the mother of his children, I'm only twenty, you're nineteen, and we're about to begin a big affair
summary: David sits in the living room, admiring
his wife, Fran. He notes fictional couples are usually
in bed together when they've known each other this long. He implies their
polite respectability
is for older, less exciting people.
Fran counters the children might come home at any moment.
David wishes they were single again, living a simpler, more spontaneous life. He imagines going to France, or England, or Italy. Fran counters that she is content with her life. David admits he's devoted to his family, but would advise a younger man to forestall such responsibilities as long as possible.
David decides to take action. He makes a telephone call. Mrs. Narwell, the
babysitter arrives, and David whisks Fran out of the house and into a car,
headed to San Francisco; to the sunny side of the street.
They have drinks at the Saint Francis hotel, while David imagines he and Fran have just met. To Fran's surprise, David registers them at the hotel as Mr. and Mrs. John Smith. They are taken to an expensive suite they can barely afford.
Fran's concerned the hotel staff knows they registered under an assumed name. She already misses their children. The couple tells anecdotes about their son and daughter, Sue. David admits he likes being a father.
They have dinner in their room. When David suggests a night on the town, Fran suggests they buy magazines and candy, and read in bed, free of their children's interruptions. David agrees. They listen to the sounds of the city, realizing people from all over the world come to vacation in San Francisco.
The next morning, over breakfast in bed, David plans a full day's activities before they return home. When David goes to the bathroom, Fran telephones home.
As they're ready to leave, something is troubling Fran. She confesses Mrs. Narwell informed her Sue was ill with a fever. Although Fran's willing to continue with their plans, David knows she wants to go home to their children.
On the drive back, Davids admits there was a second telephone call on the bill; the one he made while Fran was dressing. His decision to cut their stay in San Francisco short, was not for Fran's benefit alone.
words: 5,340
genre: None
similar: Manhattan Idyl, My Cigarette Loves Your Cigarette
people: David, Fran, Mrs. Narwell, son, Sue
places: San Francisco, CA: Saint Francis Hotel, Union Square, Powell Street, Curran Theater, Geary Theater, North Beach, Enrico's, Gump's department store, Cliff House restaurant, Zoo, Japanese Tea Garden; Marin County, CA
comments: Forthcoming