by Linda Ellen
Even as the thought surfaced, he tamped it back down and told himself it didn’t matter. That was in the past. It was something they both wished had never happened…but it had. And it most certainly would never be totally forgotten, because the evidence of the coupling walked and talked in all of his cute glory.
Vic hated that he felt torn about it. Examining his heart, he knew that he truly did love Louise’s little boy – how could he not? He was adorable – in spite of the fact that he very much resembled his no-good father. But…the fact that TJ had touched Louise…had known her in the Biblical sense…still bothered Vic if he let himself think about it. Perhaps though, it was the unspoken and unanswered question of whether or not Louise had ever enjoyed being with TJ that bothered Vic so deeply. The thought sickened Vic and he quickly sidestepped it and forced his brain to think of other things. Namely – that on the following morning, he and the girl he loved would finally take their vows as man and wife – until death do them part. She would be his from then on, and he was determined that he would never let her go…and he would break the arm of any man who dared to try and do her harm.
Making his way back from the bathroom, he paused and allowed a song from the radio on the bureau to wash over him. Nodding and drawing in deep cleansing breaths, he allowed the words of You and I to chase away the doubts and fears and remind him that he and Louise did, indeed, know the answer to the questions the song asked about summer skies being blue and how true love could grow from their first hello. For love her, he surely did.
After laying out his wedding clothes and making everything as ready as he could for the morning, he finally reclined on his bed. Thinking of indulging in a cigarette to calm his nerves, he changed his mind, determined to kick the habit for his new bride. Instead, he folded his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling, allowing his mind to parade imaginary pictures of the following day and night across the silver screen of his thoughts. He had dreamed of marrying her for so long, and now it was finally about to be a reality.
Much later, with a relaxed sigh, he turned on his right side and reached out for his imaginary bride, drifting off to sleep with a tiny smile gracing his lips.
*
“Hoe’d schtill, wi’ ya? Fleet mumbled, bobby pins clamped in her teeth as she tried again to get the pearl and diamond comb fixed becomingly in Louise’s hair, but the thing was fighting every attempt. Louise was fidgeting, trying to find a good angle to see in the bathroom mirror, and kept reaching up in an attempt to help.
Suddenly, her eyes met Fleet’s and they both broke out in chuckles.
“Seems like we’ve done this before,” Louise grinned as both of them remembered getting ready for the dance the six of them went to so long ago at the Knights of Columbus hall, although both of them gave an involuntary shudder as they recalled what a night that had turned out to be.
“Yeah, only this time nothin’ is gonna go sour. Nothin’,” Fleet declared as she tried once more and succeeded in securing the elegant comb. “Now, that looks real good with your dress, which I love, by the way. You said you got this at Lerner’s?”
“Uh huh,” Louise answered as she leaned close to the mirror and finished applying her lipstick. Then standing up straight and performing a slow, complete turn so that Fleet could see the seams in her hose, she added, “Everything okay?”
Fleet gave a once over at the dress, stockings, and Louise’s hair, and pronounced her ready.
Louise took in a shaky breath, pressing a hand against her stomach as she once more perused her reflection in the mirror. “Oh Fleet…I’m so nervous. I’m afraid something bad is going to happen…that something will come up to stop us…” she confessed softly. “I’ve wanted this for so long…it doesn’t seem real…”
Fleet reached out and grasped Louise’s hands, turning her friend so she could look her straight in the eye.
“Now, you stop that,” she ordered in her particular no-nonsense way. “Nothing is gonna go wrong. You look beautiful, it’s a nice day outside, and any minute now, a man who is absolutely dippy over you is gonna come knocking on that door – and then before you know it, you’ll be Mrs. Victor Matthews – for the rest of your life.”
Louise pressed her lips together and nodded, willing herself to draw strength from her friend’s positive declaration. Then, a moment later, they both heard the doorbell ring and Louise’s heart jumped in anticipation. He’s here!
Fleet grabbed her hand and tugged her through the bathroom doorway. “C’mon Cinderella, your prince is at the door. And I’ll wager at midnight you won’t be thinking about pumpkins and carriages,” she added with a wink.
*
Vic let out an exasperated huff and clenched his hands into fists as he stood before the bathroom mirror down the hall from his room. “I can’t believe I’m this nervous,” he mumbled in disgust as he stared at his half-shaven face.
Alec, leaning nonchalantly against the doorframe let out a hoot and moved forward, rescued the razor from his friend’s hand and turned him around, remarking, “Here, you better let me help if you don’t want everybody calling you Nicked up Vic.”
Vic relinquished the razor and angled his chin upward, trying to hold still. “I did give you the ring, right?” he mumbled, lips pursed.
“Watch it man, I almost cut you! And yeah, for the fourth time, I’ve got the ring. Right here,” Alec added, patting his shirt pocket. “Relax. Anybody’d think this was a shotgun weddin’ or something.”
Vic huffed a chuckle, thinking it was exactly the opposite. “I’m just anxious is all.”
Alec carefully finished shaving his friend and reached for a towel, tossing it at Vic. “There, that’s done. Dry your face,” he instructed as he bent down to rinse the blade under the running water.
Minutes later, Vic stood at the bureau mirror in his room, growling in frustration as he fumbled with tying his tie. He wanted it to be right, Louise had given it to him as a wedding present.
Earl, who had been lounging in a chair reading a newspaper, chuckled and stepped up to his friend. “Here, let me help or we’ll never get outta here,” he grumbled teasingly. “The rate you’re going, man, I’m starting to wonder if you’ll need me and Alec to come along and help on your honeymoon, too.” He snickered as Vic shot him a glare.
“You can forget that idea, pal.”
Earl laughed out loud and stepped back. “There. Now, get that jacket on and let’s get outta here – before your bride changes her mind,” he added, merely teasing. Vic again shot him a look, but accepted the jacket from Alec’s hand and shrugged into it. He glanced around, making sure he hadn’t forgotten anything important as he picked up his duffle.
Once more, his eyes met Alec’s. “You’ve got…”
“The ring – YES. C’mon man, time’s a wastin’!”
The guys sniggered at their normally calm and laid back friend’s scatterbrained actions as they laughingly escorted him out the door.
Ten minutes later, the big hearse, which had recently been repainted to a less austere green, pulled up in front of Louise’s apartment. Alec had kept up a running monologue the entire way, trying to dispel some of his friend’s nerves. The three friends spilled out, laughing at one of the prankster’s jokes.
At Vic’s ring of the bell, the door opened and a grinning Ruth, with Tommy on one hip, stepped aside to allow the trio inside.
Tommy reached toward Vic for his customary hug, but Ruth held him back with a chuckle. “Oh no you don’t, Mr. Messy Hands.”
Vic chucked the little boy affectionately under the chin and ruffled his hair. “Hey sport. Where’s your mama?”
“She’s in the bathroom, go on in the living room, she should be done in a minute,” Ruth encouraged as the group moved forward.
Then, as Vic entered the living room, he glanced toward the sliding bedroom doors and saw one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen. There stood Louise in her lovely new dress, gazing at him with such love in her eyes, his mo
uth went dry. He scanned her body and slowly came back up to meet her eyes as he moistened his lips. No words formed as she seemed to float forward, finally reaching him and accepting hands that he hadn’t even realized he offered. Their friends stood watching fondly.
“Hey,” Vic finally managed.
“Hey,” she answered, her own eyes taking in his appearance.
“You look great,” they offered simultaneously, and then chuckled.
For a moment, they just stood staring into one another’s eyes, until Alec, ever the instigator, nudged Vic on the arm and handed him a small box. “Give it to her, man. The day’s wasting.”
Vic shook the fog from his brain and took the box from his friend, placing it lovingly in Louise’s hand. “Oh yeah. Here, I got you this.”
With a happy grin, she opened the box and carefully drew out a white corsage decorated with a blue ribbon. “Oh Vic, it’s lovely! Thank you,” she whispered.
“Oh, that’s pretty, Lou. Here, let me pin it on you,” Fleet offered, taking the flower and fastening it to the large lace collar of Louise’s dress. “Okay, now you’ve got your something old, something new, something borrowed – and something blue. I think we’re ready– let’s get this show on the road!”
Louise smiled lovingly at her fiancé and allowed him to help her into her coat, taking his arm as he escorted her out the door. As planned, the couple would ride in the back of the big car, with Alec and Fleet following in their ’38 Packard, and would also pick up Irene on the way.
Earl jokingly donned a chauffeur’s cap as he opened the back door for the bride and groom. “Your carriage awaits,” he chuckled.
Louise scooted into the back seat, her chest tingling with anticipation, and thinking that she understood for the first time in her life a tiny bit of what Cinderella felt on her way to the ball.
With that, they were on their way.
*
The trip to Elizabethtown had been uneventful, the traffic sparse, and they had made good time, arriving at the Dreamy Valley Wedding Chapel early enough to be the second couple in line when it opened. Louise steadfastly pushed aside – indeed, crammed it into a trunk in her mind and locked the lid – the memory of making that same trip with TJ. She hadn’t brought it up to Vic or their friends, not wishing to spoil the day for them – but, it bothered her just the same.
Gazing at the chapel, she was glad to see it was sporting a new coat of paint. Everything seemed bright and clean, and the place exuded a spirit of expectancy and joy. It didn’t even seem like the same place she remembered – indeed, that memory was always shrouded in dreariness, and as if even the sky itself had wept over Louise’s predicament that day. This time around, she determined to enjoy everything about the event.
When it was their turn, the four took their places under a white wicker arch, as Earl, Ruth and Irene stood behind to witness and Irene held Tommy in her arms. The man in charge instructed the couple to face one another and hold hands. When it came time to repeat the vows prompted by the Justice of the Peace, Louise’s heart was pumping so hard she almost felt dizzy and she could barely concentrate.
Alec produced the ring at the proper time and in the moment when Vic slid the band onto Louise’s finger, her eyes filled with tears of pure joy. For a moment, she wished she had one to give him in return, but there had not been enough money. Then, the man was grinning at the couple’s obvious adoration and telling Vic he could kiss his bride – and he didn’t have to tell him twice. Everyone laughed and clapped at the groom’s exuberance.
Tommy clapped his little hands, too, although of course not understanding what had just happened. He giggled in his cute way and exclaimed, “Misser Vic kissy Mama!” Everyone laughed again and Louise leaned to give her little boy a kiss on the cheek.
Then, they were signing the marriage license and filing outside together after Vic slipped the officiate his fee.
“Well, that’s done now. You’re finally hitched,” Alec exclaimed, slapping Vic on the shoulder. Then turning to glance at Tommy as he bounced up and down chanting, “Misser Vic, Misser Vic,” Alec snorted and reached to tickle Tommy’s belly.
“Hey, champ. I think you’ll have to start calling Mister Vic something else, now that he and your mama are married. Ain’t that right, Chief,” he directed toward Vic.
Without missing a beat, Tommy immediately began chanting, “Chief! Chief! Chief!” Little did any of them know, but from that moment on, Tommy would always call his stepfather, “Chief.”
“Okay guys, we’ve planned a little surprise for you…kind of a wedding reception – at our place,” Ruth announced, exchanging a quick glance with Fleet.
“Yeah, we figured since your mom was out of town…” Fleet began, wincing when she noticed the frown pass over Louise’s face at the reminder. “Um…anyway, we thought we’d throw something together for you. Now, don’t expect too much,” she added with a teasing laugh.
“You guys…you didn’t have to do that…” Louise protested softly, although inside she was very pleased and grateful. Looking to Vic, who stood with one arm around her waist, she added, “We’ve got time before we have to go…”
“Yeah, we’ve got time,” he interrupted before she could mention their digs for the night. He hadn’t told her that it was all arranged on the sly and it wasn’t supposed to be broadcast.
Alec, never one to miss a juicy detail, grinned annoyingly and wheedled, “Oh, you guys are going someplace special tonight, huh? Where?” he paused with raised eyebrows. Vic, however, clamped his lips and shot Louise a wink, which thankfully she understood.
“C’mon, give,” Alec pried.
Vic shook his head. “Do I look like a fool? I ain’t telling you. You think I want my wedding night interrupted by the likes of you two? I wouldn’t put it past you to try and arrange some kind of a shivaree like your old man used to tell about,” Vic accused his rowdy friend.
Alec laughed and slapped his thigh. “Now why didn’t I think of that?”
“Sounds like fun,” Earl teased, enjoying watching Vic squirm.
Vic groaned and rolled his eyes.
“Come on, you two,” Ruth cajoled as she and Fleet tugged their men toward the vehicles.
Vic and Louise hung back for a moment as Vic turned his new bride in his arms for a warm hug. “You okay…Mrs. Matthews?” he asked, “You’re awful quiet…”
She smiled and tightened her arms around him before pulling back to gaze up at him with an adoring smile. “I’m wonderful. And I love my new name.”
He leaned to give her a warm, loving kiss…until Alec’s voice yelled, “Come on, lovebirds, the party’s waiting!”
They broke apart and laughed with pure joy, the bulk of their nervous jitters melting away as they hurried to their ‘carriage.’
*
The reception party had been fun and joy-filled. Louise had been disappointed that none of them owned a camera – Earl’s mother’s Brownie having long since been pawned – and therefore she wouldn’t have any photographs of her wedding day with her dark haired, dark eyed prince. But it couldn’t be helped. At least the wedding had taken place, with no hiccups, she reminded herself sternly.
Earl’s mother had graciously agreed to make the cake. It wasn’t fancy, but it had white frosting and it tasted positively delicious. The gifts for the bride and groom had been meager, but included hand-embroidered pillowcases from Irene, a bottle of wine and two long stemmed glasses from Alec and Fleet, and a cut glass ashtray from Earl and Ruth. This last gift produced a laugh from the recipients as a joke on the groom, who mumbled that now that he was quitting the habit, they give him an elegant place to drop his ashes.
The couple went through the usual traditions…they cut the cake and threw the garter – although with no single men there to catch it, Earl lifted little Tommy up in the air for him to grab the object, which brought a laugh from everyone. Louise also tossed the bouquet, which she had made from tying together a handful of flowers Vic had given
her the day after they had found out Lilly, Sonny, and Billy wouldn’t be there for the wedding. Irene laughingly caught it.
As the hands on Vic’s watch reached four o’clock, he managed to get his new wife’s attention and communicate to her his wish to get going. So amidst a flurry of kisses, hugs, and well wishes, and a shower of rice, they hurried to the old car to be driven by their ‘chauffeur’ to their lodgings for the night – after extracting his word that he would not divulge the secret until the next day.
When Louise stepped out of the car, she looked up at the large canopy above the three shiny brass plated entrance doors and couldn’t believe she was actually about to stay a night at the elegant Brown Hotel. All her life she had heard about it – and knew that Sonny had stayed there during the Flood, one of many newsboys to be stranded there, and he had even caught a fish in the lobby – but she had never dreamed she would one day have the privilege.
Now, she and Vic walked through the long, narrow lobby, marveling at the three large square pillars with burnished gold trimmed decorative tops supporting the high, richly ornate ceiling. Archways with carved filigree designs were situated at the second floor level with various flags or tapestries hanging from the railings. Elegant chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and expensive sofas, chairs, footstools, and tables with lamps sat in groups on patterned area rugs. For an instant, the thought of such opulence being filled with four feet of filthy river water made her shiver, and she said a quick prayer that such a thing never happened again.
Finally, they approached the desk and the manager greeted them with a smile.
“Welcome to the Brown. May I help you?”
Vic cleared his throat. “Yeah, uh…we have a reservation. In the name of…Steve Baugh.”
Louise’s eyes widened in surprise and she turned to look up at her husband’s face. He shot her a look that clearly meant, Don’t say anything, I’ll explain later.
The man glanced through his reservation cards and finding the right one, he looked back up at Vic with a smile. “Oh yes, Mr. Baugh. I see here we have reserved one of our best suites for you and your lovely wife.” He reached over and gave the call bell a sharp whack, and moments later a young bellboy dressed in a crisp black and white uniform appeared. “Take this couple up to Suite 601,” the man behind the desk sternly ordered the young man.
