by AlLee, Jennifer L. ; Breidenbach, Angela; Franklin, Darlene
“It’s like a fairy tale.” She stepped onto the porch and reached for the door handle.
“Hold on now.” He scooped her into his arms. “A groom carries his bride over the threshold.”
She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I guess you’d better do so, then, because I’m growing impatient.”
He carried her inside and set her on her feet. Everywhere he looked there was a touch of homeyness. A bright quilt was draped across the back of the sofa. A colorful afghan lay folded on a chair. Lace curtains covered the windows, and blue and white dishes were set on the table.
Tears rolled down Annie Mae’s cheeks. “We are so blessed.”
He drew her close. “We are.” They had all they needed to start their life together. Love, a home, community. He was almost near tears himself.
He grinned to see a slightly used coffeepot on the stove. Someone was superstitious, holding to the old belief that it was bad luck to set up housekeeping with a new pot. He doubted Annie Mae minded using it for a month or so until a new one could be purchased. With all the evidence of love in the many gifts in front of them, he had no doubt their marriage would be very blessed indeed.
With a shy look his way then one toward the bedroom door, Annie Mae took his hand. “Come.”
He gulped, then, grin spreading wide, allowed her to lead him to the room they would share. Instead of the blushing bride, he found himself more nervous than she was. Perhaps their walk in the moonlight had been more for his benefit.
They sat on the edge of the bed, hands entwined. “Let’s pray,” he said. “I want this marriage to start solid.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” She bowed her head.
“Dear heavenly Father …”
Dear Reader,
The Arkansas State Fair was sporadic during the time of the Great Depression, and for the sake of my story, I had one held in 1930. At this time, the fair actually closed at Fair Park (which is now War Memorial Park). Officials found several abandoned animals left when the fair closed and built pens to house them. During the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration erected rock buildings, which still stand and are part of today’s zoo.
Because of the financial hardship during the Great Depression, thousands of young men left home and entered the Works Progress Administration, where they were employed in the construction of public buildings and roads. At its peak in 1938, it provided paid jobs for three million unemployed men and women as well as youth in a separate youth administration.
I hope you enjoyed Competing Hearts and this bit of insight into America’s history.
God bless.
Cynthia Hickey
Cynthia Hickey grew up in a family of storytellers and moved around the country a lot as an army brat. Her desire is to write about real but flawed characters in a wholesome way that her seven children and five grandchildren can all be proud of. She and her husband live in Arizona where Cynthia is a full-time writer.
