Not exactly, but a close synopsis over several of my “love affairs”… for lack of a better phrase. Of course, you would need to leave out the part, “going to become one hell of a man.”
The quote below is from a Travis McGee novel by John D. MacDonald, The Green Ripper. It was an older Travis McGee remembering a 16 year old Travis and his summer with an older woman of 24, perfectly acceptable in the 50s and 60s as long as they were discreet. It is hard to pin down a time line for Travis McGee as MacDonald wrote the 21 books in the series over a 20 year span, and MacDonald was always trying to stay topical for the time the book was to be published.
“…I was in love with her, of course. I could not stand the thought of the summer ending. I told her I loved her, and I was going to come to New York to be close to her.
I will always remember the way she cupped both hands on my
face and looked deeply into my eyes. “Travis, you are a very very
sweet boy, and you are going to become one hell of a man. But if
I ever find you outside my apartment door, I am going to have
the doorman throw you out on your ass. We can end it right now
or next week, whichever you choose. But end it we will, boyo,
with no loose ends. No letters, no phone calls, no visits. Ever.”
And that’s how it was.”
Just saying!
