Birdie got out of the car and closed the door as Justin hurried to greet her.
"Hey Justin." She said before kissing him. "How was your day?"
"Oh you know. I can't complain, really. Mrs. Jackson's fence needed mendin' so I took care of that for her. She's a really sweet lady. Makes the best lemonade." He added with a wink. "And then Mr. Benson's radiator quit on him, so I spent the rest of the day workin' on that. Still ain't runnin' right, though. But man, am I exhausted!"
Birdie smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "Seems like every woman in Smithville wants you." She teased.
"Darlin' you're the only Smithville woman I want."
Birdie laughed as Justin picked her up and whirled her around as he kissed her.
"So where's that crazy Bernice?" He asked, gently putting Birdie back on her feet.
"Workin' late at the Soda Shop." Birdie said.
"Again? That little girl's gonna be worn out, Hon." Justin said.
"I know... But she insiststed. Justin, she really wants that dress. I went by Rachel's and looked at it. It's over $300! If I had that kind of money I'd buy it for her in a heartbeat, but things have been so slow at Pruitt's Portrait Studio, I can barely keep up. I just hope she'll settle for something 'not so spectacular.' I know she's dreamin' of that dress, Justin, but I just can't afford to buy it for her. God knows Bill never had that problem. If it were up to me, I'd buy Bernice the moon and the stars."
Justin held her close. "Birdie, Bernice will understand. This ain't big city Chicago. People don't make the kind of money that they do up there. To do that, we'd have to move to Dallas or even Houston. I know you don't want to leave, and neither do I. California was great and all; the big city life, you know. But my home is here in Smithville, with you, Bernice and Travis."
Birdie smiled and looked up at her husband. "What would I do without you, Justin?"
Justin touched his nose to hers. "Darlin', I hope you never find out."