There was, however, nothing nondescript about the fit of Marion’s skirt-it fit her perfectly. Allan was being patient it was Ruth who was “waiting.” She wasĪ wraparound skirt of a nondescript beige color. “ So,” Hannah had added philosophically, “I suppose the sex is… all you expected?” “We haven’t had sex yet,” Ruth admitted. It was an infuriating way to think, but Ruth bit her tongue. It was her journalist’s sensibility: everyone’s statistics are presumed to comply to age, to education, to type. Let’s hope that his will be the last generation of men who feel it’s necessary to keep talking to their ex-wives,” Hannah dismissively said. “And I suppose he still talks to the ex-wife. “ It’s something we’re talking about,” Ruth confessed. “ So he still wants a child,” Hannah concluded. “Allan wanted a child, his wife didn’t,” Ruth admitted.

“ Sounds like you, sort of,” Hannah said. “Why doesn’t he have children?” “His wife didn’t want children-she was afraid of having children,” Ruth said.

“But I thought he was married for years and years,” Hannah said. “And doesn’t he have children? My God, how old are they ? They could be as old as you are!” “He has no children,” Ruth replied. “ That’s a gentleman, all right,” Hannah had said. years older than you are?” She’d seen a photograph. “I mean, he’s the right generation for gentlemanly behavior. “ He’s also a gentleman.” “ He’s old enough to be,” Hannah had replied. “Oh, you’ll meet him- you’ll see,” Ruth had told her.

A Widow for One Year by John Irving