Boston, Massachusetts, April 1967

Approaching the end of her student visa after two years wasn't entirely unexpected. Delphine knows her research studies were going well. She had gotten her MA in Human Physiology. An easy task when you've already finished medical school in France.

She knows who she needs to see, and knows what needs to be asked. She goes to his office. She dresses like a woman, not a scientist. A white blouse, a longish black skirt. She makes no apologies that other people may have noticed the affair. She has to do what she has to do. Delphine justifies.

"Dr. Leekie." She calls softly as she opens the door. "Are you busy?"

"Delphine." He glances up from the pile of pictures on his desk. He's not handsome, Delphine thinks. Maybe when he was young he might have been, but she finds his features a little irregular for her tastes. His age doesn't have to matter. And surely there are things she could get from this partnership as well. Such as a work visa for continued research work. Maybe even introductions to get her medical license recognized here. Such things have been discussed.

"Uhh… you know… my student visa will be expiring within six months."

"A tragedy. You've been a great asset to the program here… and to me of course." He barely looks up from the results of whatever experiment he is observing.

"I… I need help." Delphine decides to go for direct asking, she moves between him and the desk. She eases back and sits down, she moves teasingly. He's already seen it all, and while the sex was… disappointing. It did seem logical to ask the man she was currently sleeping with.

"What kind of help? You're welcome to apply for work at the lab. I told you that."

"I have applied… but I do not have a work visa." Delphine starts softly. "But you could help me with that… and I… I could fulfill my end of the bargain as well."

"So..?" Leekie finally looks up, regarding her with amusement.

"Marry me. So I can stay." Delphine makes the request plainly. There's no sense trying to play games with a man she's convinced has been playing her right back.

He chuckles under his breath and looks up at her. "Delphine… I believe you have…just overstepped in this arrangement."

"But… we were sleeping together…" Five months, Delphine churns internally. Five months she's been letting him have her, in various locations and positions. He'd long expressed interest, and she figured once she'd given in that this was a done deal. Perhaps she'd be a trophy wife, but at least she'd be a citizen. Have options not currently available to her with her limited student visa.

"Yes… yes… that was quite enjoyable. But I assure you, I have no intentions of remarrying. I am very content with my life as it is. If you would like to continue our physical relationship - I am quite …pleased with that. But if you want a husband - or a green card… I suggest you look elsewhere."

"Well, where would you suggest?" Delphine stands up, brushing down her skirt. His hand rests briefly on her thigh and she shakes her head. He rolls his eyes, no doubt noting that whatever was between them is over. It hadn't been good, Delphine thinks. It had been tolerable. But she'd thought it would at least get her somewhere .

"Perhaps the medical school? Lady doctors often marry doctors. I am sure you can find someone to help you with your little problem."

Delphine nods, accepting this. She wasn't in love with him. It seems that neither of them were in love. And that was exactly the problem.

She would have to look elsewhere.

She chooses her target carefully. Someone who might be able to give her at least some of what she might want. She asks around, hangs around the medical school trying to get an idea of who might be a good choice. She'd spent some time here, despite not being a student. Finding the campus particularly lovely. And the company too, tending to be of a social status she could live with if she was going to have to get married anyway.

She rules out the first three candidates easily. One is too familiar with her and knows Dr. Aldous Leekie personally. Far too close for comfort. Another isn't quite attractive enough, she may as well attempt to develop feelings for the man if she's going to marry him. The third, she learns after three conversations, seems to be entirely otherwise inclined. And though that wouldn't necessarily be a dealbreaker, she wants to attempt a more traditional marriage first.

Her fourth possible candidate - Michael David Jones Junior - shows some promise. And the little investigating she does doesn't immediately weed him out. A medical student almost two years younger than her who will be starting his residency in September. He is fair, a decent student… and his family is wealthy enough to keep him well enough that he works only a little. And rather than attending Boston University, he was at Harvard. Likely due to the influence of his father. He wasn't particularly sociable as far as Delphine could observe. But that may mean that he is a bachelor. Exactly what she needs.. She reaches out to friends, and sure enough Danielle and John Blanchard agree to introduce them.

"I want… to meet an appropriate young man. Like you did." Delphine tells Danielle over coffee the next week. They haven't seen as much of each other in the six months since Danielle stopped studying and got married. They'd bonded over similar origins, though Danielle's family had moved to the United States when she was still quite young. She hadn't even been back to France in years. And she'd found John Blanchard. A surprisingly not francophone man, who had courted her intently. Their wedding, Delphine thinks, had been a highlight of the year. A reminder that she too may have to consider the one thing she'd absolutely refused to do in France. Becoming a wife.

"You have someone in mind? Or do you want me to ask John to set you up?" Danielle asks, pouring her another cup of coffee in her home. It's nice, Delphine thinks. She could do with a life like this. As long as she didn't have to give up everything she loves. But Danielle still took the pill, Delphine knew. There was no reason she would have to have children immediately, as long as that could be negotiated with her husband. John, she knew, wanted to wait a year or two. To enjoy his wife, he always said.

"Michael David Jones." Delphine has met him, only in passing, and heard things from other friends. From what she's seen, from a distance, she is content enough with his looks. As for the rest, she'll be relying on Danielle's intel. Happily, he was far removed enough from Boston University to not know of her… recent indiscretions.

"He's a Harvard boy." Danielle tells her with a wide grin. "Good family. Bit… off in the clouds. But I think… I think you'd like him. He is almost done with medical school. Starting his residency. Known for being quite gregarious. No steady girl at present. A perfect bachelor."

And conveniently, have a party coming up that they could meet at. A society event, Delphine thinks, that should work pretty well all considered. Except she wants to make sure that she gets his attention. So they can attend together.

She plans it carefully, what she wears. How she walks. Exactly how she will get his attention. While the boy is in the library. But instead of studying for his finals, he has a novel in his hand. Delphine is amused, but only for a moment. It doesn't matter how good a doctor he will be, as long as he can get her her green card. It doesn't have to matter.

"Hello. I'm Delphine." Delphine sits down next to him in the library. "I am a friend of Danielle's. She said we should meet." It's not entirely false. He doesn't need to know that she initiated the conversation.

"Oh! So you're the girl at Boston University John said I should meet! I thought we were meeting at the party on Saturday!" Michael brightens once he gets a good look at her. "I don't have a lot of time."

"I know… but if you're going to go with a guy to a party, you should try to meet him first." Delphine explains. She knows how she looks, and she is quite happy to see Michael looking at her like that. She wonders if Danielle had told him she's a little older than he is. Or if it hadn't come up. Maybe it didn't need to. Not yet anyway.

"I'm Michael." He introduces himself with a handshake. "You like reading?" Michael tries his line. "Poetry? That kind of thing?"

"Yes I do like poetry." Delphine glances only briefly at the book he's reading. It seems to be a worn copy of a book titled On the Road. She's never heard of it, but asks a few polite questions.

He talks of Walden, of Thoreau. Then recites several poems to her, some familiar. She recites a few back and he smiles. It is going well, Delphine thinks. She gives him a slow, calculated smile and watches his expression shift again under her gaze. They are going to get along just fine, she realizes.

"I think we'll get on just fine." Michael smiles echoing her thoughts. And he even offers to walk her home. Which of course she accepts. Her landlady does not allow men upstairs, of course. But Michael seems to know that.

"So I'll see you at the party." Delphine smiles. "Thank you, Michael." She tries her best to charm him. Knowing she can. It'll work.

"You know, I think I'd like to see you sooner. A movie Friday?" Michael suggests offhandedly. And Delphine quickly and graciously accepts.

The first few weeks pass pleasantly. They attend the party, they go on dates once or twice a week. She lets him kiss her in his 1965 Ford Mustang. He takes her to concerts and movies, though his tastes in music leave much to be desired. All musical groups like Jefferson Airplane or The Doors. Delphine attempts to listen attentively to him, and he blossoms under her attention - clearly eager for more of it. He talks about medical school, his family, his father, and his wide array of literature choices. A lot of modern stuff, Delphine notes. And she makes a point to read a couple books he offers. In an attempt to bond deeper with him.

Eventually, of course, she must give some incentive to continue. So she finds herself one evening after their date back at his apartment, kissing and rubbing up against each other. He is aroused, and she can certainly handle that much. Easily.

"Delphine…" He moans her name and begins fussing with her belt, she stops him. Thinking she has a good solution to that particular problem.

"I can… please you." Delphine suggests, and she finds Michael is amenable enough to removing his pants, to exposing himself. To letting her touch. She touches him with her hands, letting him guide her, letting him show her how he likes it. And she's content enough to follow along with his instructions, noting when his face reddens, when his expression shifts - right before he ejaculates. It's a little rough, Delphine notes, but clearly it is working for him so she says nothing.

He reaches to return the favour but she shakes her head. That could lead too far too easily, she thinks. If not this time, then the next. And she wants him to get serious. Needs him to get serious, and fast. And not being particularly aroused won't go over well, Delphine knows. She certainly wasn't aroused by the sight of his penis or his grunting.

"I… do not want to. Not yet." Delphine tries to soften her expression. "I want to be deeply in love, when I make love."

"You want a real connection. I get it." Michael tells her softly. "Totally fine… We'll… see where all this takes us."

"Good." Delphine nods, and lets him talk as he strokes her hair. He is happy with her and that is good.

"You ever read this book?" Michael taps a cover of a book entitled The Phenomenon of Man .

"Non," Delphine bats her eyes, and tries to look loving, inviting. "Tell me about it."

Several weeks of increasingly intense petting later, he takes her to meet his parents - Michael David Jones Sr. and his wife Birdie. They are lovely, Delphine thinks, and quite impressed with her. She admires the house, aims to impress his mother, and puts on the perfect show she thinks. She could tolerate a life like this, better if they go into some kind of medical practice together. They could have a few children, Delphine thinks. That would be fine. A good house. Good work. And she could stay here. Have her freedom here, with some caveats.

"My girlfriend, Delphine Cormier." Michael introduces her, to his parents, to their neighbours as they are leaving after their Sunday dinner. And Delphine feels reassured. She's that much to him.

"You are so lovely!" Birdie fusses over her. "And smart too!" Birdie for her part, is intent on fawning over her. Her accent. Her beauty. And Delphine thinks… she thinks this bodes well. If Michael's mother likes her, that has to mean something.

"Yes, she went to medical school in France." Michael brags to his mother. "And lovely."

Delphine blushes and plays along. He is unbothered being two years younger, and in fact, pleased she is educated. She supposes, it is partially a status thing. But still, it is good.

Michael David Jones Sr. continues along the lines. "And your residency is all set up for you. Gastroenterology with a friend of mine. For the fall, of course. Delphine…are you still studying?"

"Non, Mr. Jones. I finished. Now I am looking for work." And it's true, Delphine thinks. She is still attempting to secure a work visa. With zero luck at present.

"It's a shame." He regards his son. "To make a woman like that work."

"Oh they're young, Mike. They just want to feel like they're part of the world." Birdie gives his hand a squeeze, but she doesn't even look at him. Delphine notes. It is perfunctory. Not affectionate. And that… that too is familiar. Too familiar.

"My entire life was decided a few months after I was born." Michael sighs later that evening, in the Mustang. They're parked up on a quiet hill. The city stretched out in front of them. "My older sister Caroline's too… She's married with two kids. Lives two blocks from my parents."

"You're upset." Delphine reads him well. "What is it?" Delphine has spent so much time studying her boyfriend, so much time trying to read his moods, to get him to attach to her. It is easy to see.

"I don't want my father's life. I don't want any of that bullshit. I want something real. Want to really connect with people. With myself. With you."

"We will have a different life. A full human life. Full of love." Delphine assures him. Maybe family practice would suit Michael better? Something less draining? Maybe she could join him, after plenty of women doctors followed their husbands into practice. It could be ideal.

"A much better one." He drives her back to his apartment and she lets him kiss her, lets him touch her. First through her clothes and then she lets him remove them. Shedding her blouse and skirt. He kisses her intently, and she tries to modulate her reactions. He is thrilled by the sight of her body, and she can tell. He's unbothered by her more European grooming standards. After all, her legs are shaved, Delphine thinks. That's enough. She moans and he fondles her breasts, her buttocks. Everything she didn't let him touch before. This is the time, Delphine thinks. She has to act now, and hope he's fallen in love with her enough for this to work.

"You've… done this before?" Michael asks as he removes his pants, likely to make sure he doesn't hurt her. But Delphine isn't worried. She lowers her face, unsure of how he will take it. Especially with how she's been holding back with him. He could get angry, Delphine thinks. But somehow she thinks otherwise.

"Mmm. I had a boyfriend in France when I was younger… and we did go all the way. A couple of times." Delphine says it softly, feigning embarrassment. It is a truth, it just omits what came after. She looks down, wondering what the reaction will be. She hasn't really talked about her experience one way or another.

"Good." Michael says instead, he kisses her deeply. Strokes her skin, a hand works between her legs until she's wet enough to take him in. When he enters her he sighs, and groans. He thrusts slowly several times before he can enter her completely. She finds it… uncomfortable, but not awful. It's not that different from Leekie. Just faster.

"God… baby." Michael groans, he thrusts quickly, roughly… like some kind of rabbit. Delphine thinks. But it doesn't matter. It won't take long, Delphine thinks. And sure enough within four minutes he's bucking wildly against her as she pretends to cry out in ecstasy. He settles against her when he's done, not withdrawing. Just slumped and clinging. She holds him back, trying to give a semblance of being emotionally overcome by their lovemaking.

The radio begins to play a new song she's never heard before. But she looks at Michael who is suddenly misty-eyed. He pulls back, just enough to slip out of her, and looks down at her face. Clearly with something big on his mind.

If you're going to San Francisco

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

If you're going to San Francisco

You're gonna meet some gentle people there

For those who come to San Francisco

Summertime will be a love-in there

In the streets of San Francisco

Gentle people with flowers in their hair

All across the nation

Such a strange vibration

People in motion

There's a whole generation

With a new explanation

People in motion

People in motion

"What is it?" Delphine wonders if Michael is about to propose. If their three months of dating is enough, if he has fallen in love with her enough for sex like this to seal the deal. She'd figured that would take a couple of months and some tears over possibly leaving to trigger a proposal. And yet, he looks close… to something big.

"Baby… we gotta go west. We got to go connect with the love! Really be one in spirit." Michael looks as if he has just had an epiphany, and seems so impassioned that she cannot deny him. "This… this can all wait. We need to go be in the movement. Be in motion."

"Umm OK." Delphine agrees with a quick nod. If she stays with Michael, the chances of them wedding are after all much much higher.

"You'll come with me right? Before… we start the rest of our lives. Whatever they end up being."

"Of course." Delphine answers quickly. She's close, she thinks. Close to getting Michael David Jones Jr. to propose. To marry and get the green card she desperately needs.

"Oh baby." He looks overcome with emotion, enjoying the song and kisses her deeply. She goes with it, kissing back. She needs to win him over. Elopement, after all, is not the worst idea she's heard.