An Understanding Heart?

Written for the 10_quotes community at LJ, inspired by the quote "You have everything it takes to make a lovely woman except the one essential: an understanding heart. And without that you might just as well be made of bronze," from "The Philadelphia Story".

In the cold light of dawn, Mary woke up in Bert's flat. She looked down at him, the man she had given herself to last night. He looked so tender and vulnerable as he slept, a lock of dark brown hair falling into his eyes. She covered her eyes with her hands, leaning back against the pillows.

How could she have done this? How could she have let her feelings overcome her practically perfect façade? She could never, ever let this happen again – she had her duties to the children in her care.

He began to stir, opening his eyes, and he smiled up at her softly.

"Good morning, love," he said, raising a hand to her cheek.

She turned away from him.

"What's wrong, Mary?" he asked.

"This can never happen again," she whispered.

"Why not, my darling?" he asked her. "I love you."

"Bert, I have my duties as a nanny," he said.

"You always use that as an excuse, Mary!" he exclaimed. "What about our happiness?"

"We can't – we just can't," she said sadly, looking down at her hands.

"You know what the problem is, Mary?" he asked her, angry. "You have everything it takes to make a lovely woman except the one essential: an understanding heart. And without that you might just as well be made of bronze."

"Bert!" she exclaimed, upset.

"Mary, I need you," he said, taking her hand. "I love you and I need you – can't you understand that?"

"Oh, Bert," she whispered. "I need you too, but we can't be together – we just can't. My duties will always come first. Can you stand to be with me knowing that?" she asked.

"Mary, I want you for myself – why can't you stop being a nanny?"

"You know that it's my vocation, Bert, improving the lives of families," she said.

"But why can't WE have a family, Mary? Why can't you improve our lives, and be my wife?"

"You want to marry me, even though I have to go where the wind takes me?" she asked.

"Mary, must you always follow the wind?" he asked.

"Yes," she whispered. "It's my duty, my destiny. Can... can you still love me despite that?" she asked.

"I do still love you, Mary, but... well, I don't know if we can go on any longer."

"Then I'll leave," she whispered, gathering her clothes together. She turned back to him before she left his flat. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. "I love you, Bert," she whispered.

He ignored her, closing his eyes, and she let a tear slip down her face as she left his flat. He continued to sit on his bed, cradling his head in his hands, and cried.