Don't Forget to Write: A Novel

Content Warning: This section discusses racism, anti-gay bias, miscarriage, and death.

Marilyn Kleinman, age 20, is home from college for the summer of 1960. On Saturday, she attends synagogue with her parents, though she finds the sermon boring. She makes eyes at the rabbi’s son, Daniel Schwartz, and both discreetly leave the service to meet in the lobby. Marilyn flirts with Daniel, and he brings her to his father’s office, where they kiss. Marilyn leans against a pane of stained glass, which breaks, causing her and Daniel to fall into the synagogue service in front of everyone. Marilyn’s father, Walter, is horrified and drags her out of the service.

Back at home, Marilyn’s parents confine her to her room. Her mother, Rose, brings her meals. Rabbi Schwartz, his wife, and Daniel arrive, and Marilyn comes downstairs so that the two families can talk. At his parents’ insistence, Daniel awkwardly proposes to Marilyn, but she refuses him because she does not really know him and is not interested in getting married yet. Both sets of parents are furious. Marilyn insists that there is no reason for them to marry: She cannot have become pregnant from kissing.