Esquire。 She remembered that day clearly enough； it would take more than three
years to forget it。 She had almost thrown the envelope away； thinking it was a
subscription offer。 Opening it； she had found instead that it was a letter
saying that Esquire would like to use Jack's story 〃Concerning the Black Holes〃
early the following year。 They would pay nine hundred dollars； not on
publication but on acceptance。 That was nearly half a year's take typing papers
and she had flown to the telephone； leaving Danny in his high chair to goggle
ically after her； his face lathered with creamed peas and beef puree。
Jack had arrived from the university forty…five minutes later； the Buick
weighted down with seven friends and a keg of beer。 After a ceremonial toast
（Wendy also had a glass； although she ordinarily had no taste for beer）； Jack
had signed the acceptance letter； put it in the return envelope； and went down
the block to drop it in the letter box。 When he came back he stood gravely in
the door and said； 〃Veni； vidi； vici。〃 There were cheers and applause。 When the
keg was empty at eleven that night； Jack and the only two others who were still
ambulatory went on to hit a few bars。
She had gotten him aside in the downstairs hallway。 The other two were already
out in the car； drunkenly singing the New Hampshire fight song。 Jack was down on
one knee； owlishly fumbling with the lacings of his moccasins。
〃Jack；〃 she said； 〃you shouldn't。 You can't even tie your shoes； let alone
drive。〃
He stood up and put his hands calmly on her shoulders。 〃Tonight I could fly to
the moon if I wanted to。〃
〃No；〃 she said。 〃Not for all t