From This Day Forward: Part III

The Toliver house was a little shanty with a front porch on it, sagging to one side. Reverend Toliver opened the door and welcomed them into his humble abode. Becky tried to wipe the gummy tobacco tar off of her beige shoes and traveling dress. Her shantung dress remained pressed and folded in the backseat of Harold’s Car.

Becky, James, Lois, and Mother followed Reverend Toliver into the small clapboard house. The house had five rooms, the two largest being the living room adjoined by the kitchen. The living room was well polished, but also well worn. The perfectly square room was dimly lit. A few rays of white sunlight danced through the yellowing lace curtains that covered the miniscule square window. Becky instantly noticed that the curtains had been purchased from the Sears Roebuck Catalog; she had once longed for them herself. The rest of the room was scarcely decorated. A coffee table sat near the blackened hearth and on the table lay a tattered old Bible open to First Corinthians.

“Emma, honey, come on out here to the living room,” Toliver called. “We got us two lovely young people all fired up to exchange vows.” Lois, who was the most curious of the bunch, had been standing closest to the kitchen doorway. She shot wondering glances into the room, watching Emma bustle about. Emma was a professional homemaker. She was a plump little woman with a pug nose and rosy cheeks. At first sight she appeared pleasant. Her spirit rang all through the house.

At the kitchen table sat a young boy of six years old. He had fiery red hair and freckles from head to toe. He wore a pair of cutoff overalls and a t-shirt striped with maroon and navy blue. He had an old piece of newspaper in front of him and a pencil in hand. Lois could scarcely make out the doodling the child was drawing in the paper’s margins. Behind the table sat a sturdy but rusting cook stove. On it Emma was preparing to can peaches. The prodigious scent filled the shanty. It brought a smile to Becky’s face as it wafted under her nostrils. Peaches had been Becky’s favorite fruit since her early childhood. She placed her hand over her stomach to calm its rumblings; realizing she was quite hungry.

“Emma, didn’t you hear me the first time? Come on in here, we got to get these folks married so they can get out of town,” Reverend Toliver crowed becoming impatient. “Alright you old coot, hold yer horses a minute. I’m a busy woman, can’t just up and drop ever’thang.”

The young boy came in from the kitchen, slowly dragging a little wooden rocking chair behind him. He sat the rocker down in the middle of the room and preceded to make himself comfortable in it. The aging little chair creaked and groaned under the pressure of every move.

Emma wiped off her face with a dishtowel and pushed a few wisps of her snow-white hair back into place. She then removed her apron and smoothed her skirt. With a smile that lifted her rosy cheeks as she entered the living room, Emma welcomed the four strangers graciously and took her seat.

Becky and James stood side by side in front of Reverend Toliver, with Mother and Lois on either side of them. Becky’s hands were trembling and Mother already had tears trickling down her cheeks. James was so overwhelmed with the entire situation that his thoughts began to drift ever so slightly…”I can’t believe I am standing here in a shanty living room, in Harlan Kentucky no less!” C-R-E-A-K , C-R-E-A-K. The rocking chair moaned. “Keep a straight face,” James told himself. You've got to look strong, stand proud.” C-R-E-E-A-K, C-R-E-E-E-A-A-K. “I sure hope Becky will be alright once I go off to CO Camp. Thank the Good Lord, I won’t ever have to see battle, conscientious objectors that we are…but damn those Germans….”

“Ahhem.” Reverend Toliver cleared his throat. “James, do you take Becky to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?” With a grin and a bashful look down at his feet James replied, “I do.”

“And Becky…” “Phyllis Rebecca!” Mother interrupted. “Ah, yes,” amended Rev. Toliver, “Phyllis Rebecca, do you take James to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?” C-R-E-A-K. C-R-E-E-E-A-K. Emma shot a warning glare at her grandson. He immediately sat stock still in mid-rock.

“I do,” Becky answered with a slight crack in her voice.

Lois was beginning to sniffle now. Toliver had James’ full attention; Emma had a pleased smile on her face. The peaches simmered away on the stove and a grandfather clock could be heard in the next room. “By the power vested in me by the state of Kentucky, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.” Mother steadied herself on the coffee table. Lois loudly blew her nose causing Becky to giggle like a child. James laughed too and hugged Lois saying, “Jesus, Lois, you sound like a trumpet blaring!”

“Would y’all like to stay and visit with us for a bit. We’ve got plenty of peach cobbler and coffee. In fact, I’ve got more peaches around here than I know what to do with.” Mother was getting ready to thank Emma for her hospitality and accept her invitation when Reverend Toliver interjected. “ Emma, I don’t think that’s such a wise idea. This town is more flighty than a cuckoo’s nest on Election Day.” Turning to the couple he continued, "We always average at least three murders. After I sign this hear marriage license, you good folks best be headed on home.”

The newlyweds, along with Lois and Mother thanked the Reverend and his wife profusely. Emma even gave them some coffee and cobbler for the road. With that, they left the house and walked out to the car. While trying to get into the passenger seat Becky dribbled coffee on her dress. That’s when she realized that neither she nor James had ever changed into their nice clothes. “Well if I’m not a sight! My lands, look at this mess, tobacco spit on my skirt, coffee on my top, I haven’t even combed my hair through since this morning. Sure ain’t the way I planned to look on my wedding day.” Mother gave her forlorn daughter a hug. “It’s alright child, you’re married now, that’s all that matters.”

On that note, Kames started up the engine and they roared back out onto the road. “Looks like we’re gonna need some gas,” James grumbled. He pulled into the Exxon station and stopped the car near a pump. A young man, having a strange resemblance to Gomer Pyle peered through the dirty window of the service station. He was very uncertain on whether or not he should help these customers. They had out of state plates. Who would come into town from Virginia on Election Day? Eventually he came to the conclusion that customers were customers, and he was in dire need of some money. Ten minutes had passed while the young man was contemplating and James was beginning to grumble under his breath, his ears burning red more with every word. Finally, the attendant slowly came out of the garage door, spitting a wad of tobacco as he went, and strolled over to the car. Leaning over with his arms folded on the car door, he poked his head into the vehicle and said, “Howdy. Name’s Bobby. What can I do ya fer?”

***To Be Continued***