Chicago, Winter 1935
The week passed slowly as a month. Would Paul ask her for a date after her third flying lesson? Barbara could hardly wait to find out, as she sat sewing again at a machine in the hangar where he had previously come for her.
"Ready to try your hand at the controls?" Paul asked as he entered the hangar.
When she looked up, he was again bathed in sunlight, but something else caught her attention. He was in bluejeans and leather jacket again, but not a plaid shirt. The shirt he was wearing that afternoon was black, and had a white collar.
Oh, my God! The collar's not pointed. It's round. It's a cleric's collar! Barbara almost gasped."I didn't know you were a minister. Or are you a priest?"
"Neither, yet," Paul replied with his casual, open smile.
"I'm a seminarian at Mundelein College. Studying for the priesthood."
First, the surprise. He was going to be a priest. He could never marry, her or anyone.
Then some little relief, as Barbara realized that was the reason he had not asked her for a date. She doubted seminarians complicated their intended vows of celibacy by taking young women out on dates.
"I'm not really supposed to wear the collar yet, not until after taking my vows," he explained. "But I just came from lunch at my folks' house, and my mother likes to see me in it."
Barbara thought she was supposed to say he looked good in the collar, but just couldn't. She wished he wore any other kind, or none at all. Preferably, no shirt. He was so handsome, and tall and strong-looking, she thought he must have a great chest. She went for young men with noticeable pectoral muscles, and thought his pecs could be something to see.
"I won't deny I'm surprised," Barbara found herself saying, finally. "I'm sure your mother thinks you look wonderful."
She left it vague, thinking, I sure do, even in the white collar! It was not easy for Barbara to hide her disappointment. For the past three weeks, ever since she first saw Paul Riordan, she had been imagining them together, making love. He had already become her Prince Charming. He had all the qualifications, except the horse, and he didn't need that, not when he was in an airplane.
Now the handsome, sweet young man who fulfilled more of her dreams than any other she had known had introduced the element that would be an insurmountable stumbling-block to any romantic relationship.