Chapter 09
Time is quick
when you are in the arms
of a loved one.
On Friday Allie had seen Lon and told him her decision. Early the following Monday Allie was driving home to see her parents, pack what she thought she would need and search for her lost painting supplies. Noah did not want her to go but Allie knew she had to face her parents as she wanted them to attend the upcoming marriage the following weekend. Early Saturday morning Allie gave Noah a positive hug accompanied by a long and passionate kiss. Allie knew she had made the right choice.
Allie tanked up once in New Bern and headed home to Raleigh, NC. She drove carefully as she was deep in thought about her parents.
She was upset with her mother for intercepting all those letters from Noah. Noah was diligent in writing and especially dogged in light of nothing coming back the other way. Allie could understand hiding the letters when she was young and impressionable. It was the later years when Allie was an adult… Why didn't her mother hand over the letters then? Her father, she knew, would follow his wife's queue. He will sit there acting according to his wife's demeanor and add emphasis to support his wife. In family matters he was a pawn to his wife's queen. In business he was ruthless to the point of punishing cruelty. Fortunately, being Monday, Allie's father was at work when she pulled into the semicircular driveway. She quickly got out of the car, ran lightly up the stairs, opened the door and waltzed purposefully into the drawing room where her mother was waiting.
"Hello mother" Allie said as she came over and gave her mother a peck on the cheek.
"Pleasant drive?"
"As could be expected."
"Have you heard from Lon?" Ann was not going to miss any easy punches.
"No. I think we have said all that there is to be said the other day. I assume Lon has gone back to his usual routine at his office and I'm going to get back with my life."
"Are you sure?"
"I think you would have realized that long ago when Noah was sending all those letters. How many years did they come Mother? Exactly how many years was it?"
"Now, now Allie…"
"Don't do that mother. It doesn't work any more," Then Allie summed up the situation succinctly by saying, "You were in the wrong. You know it and I do to. Let's move on." Ann wanted to say something. Her mouth opened a couple of times but words failed her. "Our plans are as follows. I'm here to pack and head home. On Saturday Noah and I plan to marry. You, and father, are invited to be there. I would like you to be there, but it is your choice. It will be a simple wedding at Noah's house. I will be inviting only a few others to attend. Noah and I do not expect you to pay for anything as, I think you would agree, we are both old enough to look after ourselves." With that Allie sat down. She sat on the edge of the chair looking very prim and proper even though she was very agitated underneath.
"Is that it?"
"Yes, mother, that's it."
"Well, I guess we have to be there."
"No mother, you don't 'have' to be there. There is no 'have' to it. Come if you want. There is no obligation about it."
"No obligation. Of course there is no obligation about it. Yet, I am obliged to recognize your choice and also recognize you are our only child. That familial recognition obliges us to be there and acknowledge your change of status from single to married."
"Oh mother, you sound so stuffy."
"I was expecting you to marry a Hammond and not you are marrying a Cahoun. That is a big change to accept."
"That change might not have happened if I had received the letters years ago."
"And that is what I'm wondering. Maybe I was wrong in holding them back. Maybe you would not have dashed off so quickly if I had…" Ann's voice faded into silent speculation about what might have been.
At the knock on the front door Allie quickly went and answered it. The movers had arrived. She had arranged for a local moving company to meet her at home and do all the packing and holding of her belongings. Her wardrobe was large as Lon indulged Allie. He did it out of a sense of guilt for spending more time at work than with Allie. Lon also did it out of a necessity of appearances. As a prominent lawyer he was expected to be on show even when at a meal. That meant Allie had to be suitably attired to match her beau. Allie enjoyed shopping and Lon enjoyed looking at his glamorous betrothed. If Allie had one soft spot it was for the dwindling number of millinery shops: so long as they did not offer her a fascinator.
The packing too far longer than expected. Allie did not realize just how much stuff she had accumulated over the years. Each dress, skirt, blouse, coats, furs and shoes had to be carefully packed. The furs she had packed and then requested they are put into cold storage. She could not see herself wearing a fur down in New Bern. While the packers worked on the main items, Allie pulled aside items of clothing more suitable to the life in a large plantation house with no air conditioning and lots of outdoor work. It was then she realized that she did not have much that suited her new status in life.
Allie's paint supplies proved difficult to find. Ann swore they were somewhere in the house and set off to look in all the usual places. Despite loosing her daughter, Ann was gaining a son: maybe not the son of choice, but a son anyway. It was with a begrudged recognition of the upcoming change in the status quo that Ann started with the cupboard under the stairs. Originally the house was designed with a cantilever mahogany staircase curving up to the first floor. Since her parents were not too interested in building Allie a tree house they created a room under the stairs so Allie could invite friends over to play in. Allie thought it was a super great place and started to sleep there. Her parents thought it was fun at first and then became embarrassed that Allie continued to sleep there with her toys. At age thirteen she felt it was time to use her regular room upstairs. Every now and again, when going down the stairs in the morning, she would jump on a certain stair because it would rock the small glass chandelier her father installed for her eighth birthday. She was the only girl to have a chandelier in her very own play room. At least once a year Ann made Allie take down each cut glass piece and then carefully clean them. It was a nerve racking job for Ann to keep her hands off the chore so she usually went outside to let Allie get on with it. Amazingly all the pieces were still there.
Ann pulled on the light chain and the chandelier illuminated brightly. She stood there looking at the small room with the camp cot bed, shelves lined with an assortment of girl toys, makeup, and bangles. Oh how Allie loved bangles. The wilder the color the better. At the end, where the stairs rose, was a series of shelves. As far as she remembered this was the last place she remembered the paints to be. They were not there. Only board games in battered boxes, a chess set with only white pieces and a backgammon board with no pieces. Standing there Ann pusher her glasses back up her nose and then thought how quiet the house will be without her daughter swooping in and out. That thought took a difficult turn as she realized that Allie would not be living in Raleigh… that the grandchildren would be so far away. A shudder passed down Ann as she quietly cursed Lon for not marrying Allie so many years ago when all he had to do was ask. Then the grandchildren would have anchored Allie to Lon and Raleigh.
Allie was in the spacious attic poking, carefully, about. The attic was always a place of wonderment. Boxes here and there. Trunks that have never been opened in umpteen years. Even a large and rickety wardrobe that has been locked ever since time was invented by Watt and Stephenson. All fascinating in their own right yet not what she was looking for. Despite being on a mission, temptation got the better of her. There were a few boxes of hers that had to be opened just one more time. One box contained the dress she was wearing when she first met Noah in the summer of 1932. Gently she lifted it out of the box and held it up to her shoulders and swished this way and that. A flood of memories came back. The main one being how long she sat up in bed thinking about Noah the night they met. That memory boosted her spirits, strengthened her resolve and brought back a smile. Good memories!
The next place Allie looked was the rooms above the three car garage. Despite being an illogical place to look, it had to be done. The reason for being illogical was because the garage had undergone extensive renovation. The garage was originally built by her father's parents when they owned the house and had bought their first car, and Ford Model T. Cars have changed, even more so after the war. The original garage had been torn down and rebuilt. It was not a place Allie used or imagined any of her stuff would be. Despite being the wrong place, that is where Allie found the remnants of her painting supplies. They were in poor shape. Whoever moved the boxes and easels did it in a very haphazard way. Allie opened several paints only to find them dry and useless. All the used brushes had stiff ends and she could not find any of her unused brushes. A sad indictment on usage. Looking on the positive side, the search was over and now she knew where she stood. She thought it would be best to leave everything and start over from scratch: and that is what she did.
Father came home a little early as Ann had called to make sure he did not miss his daughter. It was a stiff first few moments as they stood facing each other. Then he smiled and opened his arms into which Allie fell. Being the only child, Allie's father poured all his love and attention into his one and only daughter. He said, "And how is my favorite daughter doing?"
"Oh Dad, I'm doing just fine. Actually better now you are home."
"What's going on?" he asked nodding to the packers.
Allie glanced away. She was embarrassed by being caught red-handed leaving the premises. Still hugging she added. "Time to pack up. And I hope you will be there on Saturday… at my wedding."
Allie could not see the glances between her parents as her father tried to catch up with the latest changes. Finally the penny dropped and he said, "Sure, sure. Sure we will be there."
"Thanks dad, I knew I could count on you."
Still a little puzzled by the rapid changes and ugly telephone calls from Lon's parents, Allie's father had to ask the obvious question, "Are you sure?"
With a positive tone, Allie replied, "Yes."
That was good enough for her father. He said, "That's good. So when do we meet the lucky guy?"
"You already did. A long time ago."
"Oh that's right. Has he changed much?"
"He fought in Europe."
"Oh."
Allie spent the night at home for the last time as a single person. As she looked about the place she kept stumbling over fond memories. Then she began to wonder if she could make a house as special as this one was for her: for her own family? She felt home should be a safe place. A Place of hugs, of wiping away the tears, and of parents supporting their children… whether good or bad.
Her last night was spent under the stairs, in her room that was her special place.
On the same Monday Noah was in a panic. He had a wedding to organize by Saturday. He had no idea what to do so he did the only thing that came to mind. He jumped in his pick-me-up truck and drove down the dirt road to See Gus. Gus was a seventy-year-old black man who had seen life from many angles. His main claim to fame was four kids and eleven grandchildren. Noah prayed that Gus would be in. If he was out then he'd have to try the General Store or Martha Shaw for help. These three was all the family Noah had.
Fortunately Gus was in and once Noah explained the situation Gus jumped into action. He leaned back in his chair and through the open door yelled for his wife to come sit with them. After a spell Noah had to repeat the whole story to Gus' wife. With a clear picture Gus' wife jumped into action by calling Martha. Since it was a party line everyone soon knew what was going on out at the Cahoun's place. Virtually everyone muttered, "About time." Noah gave Martha the abbreviated version. Knowing what the score was Martha called Forest and Jenny as they just had a wedding at Forest's place outside on the lawn. That was a simple yet pretty wedding. Fortunately Forest did all the planning. For some reason the telephone lines got awful busy that evening and it took a long while before Noah could get through to Forest. Once he did, Forest told Noah he had the picture already and would be glad to help. Noah was really glad to have good friends in New Bern.
It was early Tuesday morning and Allie had one last task to do. Over the years Lon had bought Allie several expensive jewelry pieces. They were all 'sorry' offerings. Usually when Allie fussed about being left out of Lon's life because he was too busy at work, he would call up Zephyr's Diamond Emporium and ask for John. John had impeccable taste when it came to selecting the ideal item when making a piece offering. It was time to return them all to Lon. If she did not return the jewelry they would be a stumbling block between her and Noah. And that would not be good for their marriage.
Allie selected a quiet place by the cemetery. Not many came that way early in the morning. Lon was there first. The minute he saw Allie's car coming down the road he stepped out of his car carrying a crushed look. He had aged. Smartly he walked over to where Allie had parked and opened her door. "Hello Allie." Lon said quietly. Allie had never heard Lon so crushed.
All over again the knife started to turn this way and that. She was glad she skipped breakfast. She felt worse than Judas. Summing up all her courage she replied, "Hi Lon." She did everything to avoid eye contact. Her first glance confirmed the rumors that her mother shared with her: Lon looked terrible! Then she added, "I need to return something." With that she quickly skipped to the rear of the car and opened the trunk and pulled out the expensive jewelry box that Lon had given to her many years before.
Lon stood there looking like he had seen the grim and the end was neigh. Against all odds Lon was hoping the jewelry would weave some magical spell and he could marry his sweet Allie. But it was not to be. His chance had gone.
"It's all there," said Allie as she looked carefully at the box top, "Everything you bought me over the years. I don't think it is right to keep it." Allie was about to add, "Keep it for your future wife," then thought against it as not appropriate.
"Okay, I guess your right," Lon said in a defeated tone, deferring to Allie's decision. There was no fight left in Lon. His eyes were dimmed and his demeanor was diminished. Allie felt sorry for him and wanted to give him a hug and say 'everything would be fine', but that would only give him false hope. Finally Lon took hold of the box, turned about and begrudgingly walked out of Allie's life.
Of all the things Allie left behind, by far the most expensive was her wedding dress. The silk and satin material, the long train, the bead and pearl work, and the elaborate embroidery made it a girl's dream dress. Then there was Lon's family tiara and her grandmother's slightly gaudy earrings. Maybe, just maybe, the most expensive item was the large diamond and ruby broach that she was going to rent for this special occasion. She felt it was inappropriate to take the dress into Noah's home. Sometimes the past is best left in the past.
Since there was going to be a wedding, Allie still needed a dress. Knowing New Bern would have limited stock Allie decided to pick up an off-the-peg dress before she left Raleigh, NC. Since she had done the rounds of every bridal shop in town, and because everyone knew of the upcoming marriage, selecting an off-the-peg dress was bound to raise a few know-it-all eyebrows. So she headed to where her friend Janet worked. At least there she should have a sympathetic ear as Janet had a long standing crush on Lon.
Janet Strong volunteered with Allie at the hospital down town. Actually it was Janet who spotted Lon across the floor at the 1942 hospital Christmas party and decided to strike first. As she crossed the floor she got sidetracked by a very young looking Intern. Once disentangled she found Lon already talking to Allie. Rather sit and pout, the Intern was beginning to look mighty fine. Over the next three years Janet and Allie worked in the hospital and became firm friends. Of all the secrets they shared, Allie never talked about Noah. Some things are too precious to share.
As part of preparations for Operation Downfall, the invasion of Japan, hospital ships were heading west. Janet volunteered to serve on one of them. She took a slow train to Los Angles and then an even slower ship to Hawaii. The devastation of December 7, 1941 was all over the place. Cleaning up the harbor was low on the navy's priority list. While waiting to transfer to the hospital ship Janet met Lieutenant Commander Quinton McHale. McHale was on the Pacific island of Taratupa when it was viciously attacked leaving only 18 out of the 150 Naval Aviators and Marines assigned to the base. After months of surviving in the jungle the 18 were finally rescued and brought back to Hawaii. Janet was infatuated by the fast talking and very suave Quinton and Quinton loved the all the curves on Janet. Their attraction was mutual for very different reasons. Somehow the attraction survived the war and they settled down at Raleigh, NC. Quinton used his GI bill to get an engineering degree, Janet earned pocket money at the wedding shop and their three kids were a handful.
Even though Allie and Lon broke up on Friday, by Tuesday everyone who was anyone knew all about it. Tactfully Janet never asked Allie any questions. They went about their business until it was time for Allie to go. She hesitated and said, "It's this Saturday."
Looking furtively about to make sure no one was listening, Janet quickly asked, "What, your wedding?"
Allie nodded and said, "Yes… can you make it?"
"Where?"
"New Bern."
"Where on earth is that?"
"Down on the coast."
"Can I bring the boys?"
"Humm, Better not. I think it is adults only. Actually I'm not sure of the arrangements. Sort of coming together fast."
Janet could not believe her ears. Rather than add to the problems, she calmly said, "Give me the address and I'll talk to Quin tonight. See what we can arrange. Could I bring him if we can find a babysitter?"
"Oh, that would be good. He's always fun at a party."
Looking carefully at her friend, Janet asked, "Quiet wedding?"
It was then that the penny dropped. With dignity in her voice, Allie replied, "Yes, and not for that reason."
"Okay, okay. I was just wondering…"
"Well you have no need to worry. Quiet does not equal nine months."
"I'll be there, even if it is on the beach and we fish for our supper."
"I don't think it will be as bad as that. Noah is a good cook."
"So, he does have a name then. Noah is it." The name Noah did not register with Janet. She liked that Biblical name and would have remembered it.
Seeing she was spilling the beans, Allie knew it was time to leave. She hastily scribbled Noah's address down. She was amazed how easy his address came to mind, even after all these years. She started to head for the door then added, "Be there if you can. Bye"
It was late Tuesday when Allie came home to New Bern. Allie left the dress and hat in the car so she could sneak it into the house when Noah was not looking. She wanted to keep Noah guessing right up to the last minute Noah had started the percolator the minute he heard Allie pull up. Quickly he whipped his hands and went outside to meet her. He also needed a hug. They stood there in front of the house wrapped in each others arms glad she was home, home to where she belonged. Allie was beginning to feel that this old house that Noah had reworked was indeed home.
Finally Noah had to ask, "Are they coming?"
With a strong sense of mission accomplished, Allie replied, "Of course. Was there any doubt?"
"That's not what you said when you left."
"I said I expected them to come…"
"Are you sure that is what you said? I thought it was along the lines of, 'let me see,' rather than 'sure, they will be here.'"
Allie laughed lightly at Noah's memory. Of course he was right. Allie had deep reservations about her parents wanting to come to a quiet wedding in New Bern when they should have been sitting in a cathedral for the wedding in Raleigh, NC.
Noah went on with, "Do they want to stay with us?"
"Oh no, they'll stay in town. You're not family yet."
"Okay, then we are just about set."
"Set on what?" Allie asked quickly.
"The wedding is just about set."
"It is? Where do I fit in?" Allie said. She was surprised that Noah could pull something together so quickly.
"You come in using your father's arm to guide you up the isle. Then I take over and you say, 'I do' and, bingo, we're married." Noah added a huge smile like everything was set and ready to roll. Allie laughed at his smile: it was contagious.
"Okay bright boy, let's hear it properly, from the beginning." Noah poured the coffee into two cups. It was that point that Allie added, "Could you rustle up some food? I'm starving."
Hearing what she said, Noah laughed, "You said, 'rustle up'. You have never said 'rustle up' before. I think you are loosing some of that city girl vocab. Is there anything else you want to tell me? Sort of get it out now before we have company?"
All Allie could think of saying was, "Oh Noah, it's good to be home."
Noah went over to the refrigerator and had a serious look inside before poking and moving stuff about. The contents reflected a single male life style of more liquid than edible items. Finally he said, "How does a southern style omelet sound?"
"I could go for that," Was Allies hungry reply. With that Noah started to pull out the various items and got the frying pan going.
Just as he was starting there was a knock at the door followed by a yell of, "It's me" and in came Gus with a pot of Brunswick Stew and a bottle sticking out of his deep dungaree pocket. "Heard you com'in and thought you might like some good grub. Noah's okay but no good on real food." Allie liked the way he said 'real food' as if the word alone were good enough to eat. Tucked behind Gus was one of his granddaughters. She was peaking at Allie. Gus nodded at his granddaughter and added, "Had to bring her. She's want'in to check up on the new lady." Then Gus added, "Glad to meet you Ma'am." With the formalities out of the way, Gus put his pot on the stove, found a long wooden spoon took a taste. "Yep, she is ready." Then looking at his granddaughter asked, "You still got the bread?" The little girl nodded and handed a brown paper bag of sourdough bread to her grandfather. "Then I guess we is ready."
Gus' form of Brunswick Stew was thick, Smokey and made with rabbit and other wild game meats he trapped here a bouts. Rather than use regular sugar he used locally made molasses as it added a certain something that others lacked.
Noah pulled down four bowls and spoons and put them on the table. Then Gus moved the stew to the placeholder in the middle of the table. With heads bowed the granddaughter said a blessing on the food. The prayer was short and simple. Actually it was a quote from Our Gang. "Rub a dub dub thanks for the grub, amen" Allie looked at Noah, he hand a broad grin on his face. There was little chit chat about the table as they ate. The usual discussions, but the food was the serious topic at that moment. As usual the food was excellent. Once the food had magically disappeared they settled out on the veranda where Gus updated both Allie and Noah on the latest wedding plans. Noah had let Gus have free reins on the wedding with minor tweaks and the like. Since this was all new, Allie peppered Gus with questions about this and that. She wanted the wedding to be suitably dignified for her parents and the stories they would be taking back to Raleigh, NC.
It seems Gus came from a large family whose parents came from a large family. In fact there were so many relatives Gus kept loosing track of who was close kin and far kin. It was just easier to call everyone uncle so-and-so, aunt so-and-so, or cousin so-and-so. With so many relatives going to baptisms, weddings and funerals was almost a daily activity. Since people had to work, weekend family gatherings were pretty much the norm for Gus. That is why he was so glad to get away and spend time with Noah. Some days you can have too many family blessings a large family brings.
Gus had been to enough weddings to know what makes a good wedding. His plans were short, simple and Allie had to agree he had done a good job. The only change she insisted on was the music. Allie loved classical music and knew her mother did to. There had to be classical music, say a small ensemble.
Gus just sat there and thought hard. Finally he said in a grave voice, "Don't know about that music. We don't hear much of it in these parts."
"Have you looked?" asked Allie.
"Not much call here-a-bouts," was Gus' solemn reply. And he was right. Classical music was a rarity in New Bern. "I guess I can ask."
"Thank you Gus," said Allie, "I'd really appreciate your effort." The flash of Allie's smile melted Gus into trying as best he could.
"She's a shy one," Allie added as the granddaughter stood slightly behind Gus. Slightly behind but good enough to keep an eye on Allie.
Gus reached round and pulled his granddaughter forward. "This one don't say a whole lot. She looks and listens," he laughed lightly, "then one day she will 'pop' and be all grown up and leave her old grandpa behind in the rocking chair." With that the little girl buried her face in her grandpa's chest while keeping one eye on Allie. Allie had made a friend: a quiet friend.
The wedding was small, dignified and had a small ensemble. The ensemble were friends of Allie's parents who made several last minute changes to their very full schedule. They did not want to miss this wedding for the world. On the way back to Raleigh, NC they chatted away about Allie, then Noah, then more about Allie, and finally about Noah; again. Once back in town, their stories flew about Raleigh, NC faster than Superman chasing a speeding bullet.
