The Waltons
*Wishful Thinking*
Erin Esther Walton is sitting on the front porch of the Walton house. She had a tear in her eye. Just then, a truck pulls up in front of her. Curtis "Curt" Willard steps out and walks over to her.
"What's wrong Erin?" Curt asks her. Erin gives him one of her nervous laughs.
"I'm just thinking about Mama, Curt. I still can't believe she's gone." Erin says holding her hankerchief.
"Just keep remembering your mama is getting better in that sanitorium." Curt says, Erin just nods because everybody has been telling her that.
"Is Mary Ellen inside?" Curt asks her. Erin nods at him. Curt walks in the front door and leaves Erin outside by herself. Jason, Mary Ellen, Ben, Cindy, Jim Bob, and John are in the kitchen. Elizabeth and John Curtis are listening to the radio in the living room. Curt walks over to Elizabeth.
"Cu-" Elizabeth starts to say before he motions for her to remain quiet.
"Can I get John Curtis?" He asks her in a whisper. Elizabeth stands up and hands John Curtis to Curt. Curt walks into the kitchen and sits next to Mary Ellen on the bench. She doesn't pay any attention to him at first although Jason, Ben, and John see him.
"Bye everybody. I need to go practice at the Dew Drop." Jason says waving quietly to Curt.
"Come on Ben, let's go work out in the mill." John says to his middle son. John, and Ben go outside heading towards the mill.
"I have a date with Patsy Brimmer." Jim Bob says walking out the back door in the kitchen.
"Bye Jim Bob." Elizabeth calls as he walks through the door.
"Come on Elizabeth. Let's go sit with Erin." Cindy says looking up at Curt. Elizabeth and Cindy walk out the front door and sit on the swing at the side of the porch. In the kitchen, Mary Ellen stands up to refill her cup with coffee. Curt is getting restless.
"I've been gone to Pearl Harbor for 6 months and you aren't even gonna talk to me?" Curt asks Mary Ellen. As soon as she hears his voice she whirls around.
"CURT!" Mary Ellen hollers hugging him tightly.
"I've missed you Mary Ellen." Curt says with a smile.
"I thought for sure that I'd lost you, on the radio they said that there were Japanese planes flying low over Pearl Harbor." Mary Ellen says in her worried tone.
"I'm fine. Just think, in 3 weeks you will be moving to Pearl Harbor and working with me again." Curt says.
"I can't wait." Mary Ellen says with a big Walton's smile.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elizabeth and Cindy are just sitting outside on the swing enjoying the sun. Erin gasps and just starts sobbing. Cindy and Elizabeth run over to her.
"What's wrong, Erin?" Cindy asks putting her arm around her.
"I'm just upset about Mama. I miss her so much." Erin says trying not to cry. Elizabeth sits next to her on the steps.
"I miss Mama too Erin." Elizabeth says. Erin wipes her eyes with her hankerchief.
"I feel crazy crying at 18 over Mama." Erin says.
"Everybody cries, Erin. It's no big deal." Cindy says to her.
"Still, it just doesn't feel right." Erin says. Elizabeth hugs Erin.
"I still cry over Mama bein' gone Erin. I miss her because she is our only Mama." Elizabeth says. Erin just stares at Elizabeth.
"You are wise beyond your years Elizabeth." Erin says. Elizabeth gives her this confused look.
"Thank you?" Elizabeth responds. Erin laughs at the look on Elizabeth's face. Just then, Chad Marshall comes jumping up the steps to the Walton's house. Since he moved to the mountain 2 years ago he isn't very far from them.
"Chad is that you?" Erin asks him.
"Who else would it be Erin?" Chad asks her. John walks over to the house wondering who the young man is. When he puts his hand on Chad's arm and he turns around.
"Hi Chad!" John says.
"Mr. Walton.," Chad responds to him, "where's Mrs. Walton?"
"Elizabeth, help Erin inside the house." John says just watching Erin.
"I'll be okay, Daddy." Erin says.
"Are you sure?" John asks her. Erin nods at him, but Elizabeth still holds her a little bit.
"Mrs. Walton is in a sanitorium. That's a hospital for people with tuberculosis." John says.
"Oh boy." Chad replies.
"What'd you want here Chad?" Erin asks Chad with her arms folded.
"Erin, I know we talked when I first moved here about getting married and I was wondering if you would marry me now." Chad says.
"Now? I'm still in business school. I can't just leave." Erin says trying to protest.
"Sure you can. Come live with me in my cabin on the mountain. Be my wife. I'll support you." Chad says.
"Everybody stop, especially Chad; Livie won't want to hear this." John says. Just then Mary Ellen, Curt, and Grandma appear at the door.
"Phone, John." Grandma "Esther" says. John looks at her.
"Who is it, Ma?" John asks.
"It's Mama." Mary Ellen speaks up. Grandma just glares at Mary Ellen.
"Livie." Grandma finally says. John just looks at Erin, sighs, and then enters the living room, and picks the phone up off the counter.
