1948
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," said the minister. "You may kiss the bride."
The Waltons and all their neighbors watched as Ike Godsey kissed his new wife, the former Pearl Bergen. Corabeth had died right after the war had ended. Ike had been lonely for several years, until a business trip to Jenkinsville, Arkansas had led to a whirlwind romance with the young widow.
Aimee Godsey White sat in the front row with her new husband, Roger. She'd mourned the loss of her mother and was glad her father didn't have to be lonely anymore. She looked at her new stepsisters, sixteen-year-old Patty and ten-year-old Sharon, sitting across the aisle from her. She'd always wished for siblings and hoped to become close to the Bergen girls.
The guests moved into the reception area, where a large white cake and a big bowl of red punch sat on a table. Olivia Walton came over to her and gave her a hug.
"It was a beautiful ceremony, wasn't it?"
"It was," Aimee agreed.
Mary Ellen and Jonesy were there with John Curtis.
"You have an instant family now," Mary Ellen remarked. "Isn't that nice?"
Aimee nodded. She saw Ben and Cindy standing together with their daughter. Ginny, whose hair was in pigtails, looked around at everyone with wide eyes.
"You just get prettier every time I see you!" Aimee told her. Ginny smiled shyly.
Paul and Elizabeth were talking with Jason and Jim Bob. Elizabeth held little Max. She smiled when she saw Aimee.
"It isn't every day you get two new sisters, is it?" she asked.
"It sure isn't!" Aimee replied. Max stared at her with round, solemn blue eyes. Aimee played peek-a-boo with him, and he giggled.
"Your mother told me you were used to working in a general store," Ike said to Patty.
"Yes, sir," Patty replied.
"Have you ever used a cash register?"
"Sure."
"Well, mine might be a little different from the one you used before, but I'm sure you'll catch on fast." He showed her how to use the cash register, and when he felt comfortable that she understood, he showed her around the store, where the merchandise was kept, etc.
"It's sure different from the store I used to work in," she remarked.
"And how is that?" asked Ike.
"It's just - different, that's all." Patty shrugged. "Smaller, somehow. Anyway, I'm glad we live in Walton's Mountain now. Everyone seems so nice."
"Weren't the people in Jenkinsville nice?" asked Ike.
"Not in particular," said Patty. "The only nice person was Ruth. I sure miss her."
"Who was Ruth?"
"Didn't Mom tell you? She was the colored lady that used to work for us. She died of cancer six months ago."
"I'm so sorry!"
Patty sighed. "I'm just glad I don't live there anymore. Too many sad memories."
Ike smiled. "Well, I hope all the memories you make here will be happy ones."
Patty smiled back at him. "Me, too."
One day, Patty was working in the store when Paul and Elizabeth came in with Max.
"I need flour, potatoes, and butter," said Elizabeth. "I'm making fried chicken, biscuits, and potato salad, and we're going fishing tomorrow."
"I've never been fishing before!" said Patty.
"If Ike will give you the day off, we'd love to have you come with us," Elizabeth offered.
"That would be great!" said Patty. "He already told me I can take a day off anytime I want. Can Sharon come along too?"
"Your little sister? Sure!" said Paul. "The more, the merrier."
Early the next morning, both Bergen girls wore jean shorts and t-shirts as they waited for Paul and Elizabeth. When they arrived, Paul was pushing a sleeping Max in his baby carriage.
"Oh, he's so cute!" said Sharon. "What's his name?"
"Max," Paul told her.
Together, they walked to the creek. Paul baited Patty's and Sharon's hooks, and they sat on the bank and waited for a bite.
"I got one!" Sharon cried excitedly after a few minutes. She reeled in her line, only to find the bait was gone. A fish had taken it and swam away.
Paul chuckled. "You have to be fast!"
After a couple of hours, Max woke up crying. The others were all hungry too, so they took a break and ate the fried chicken, biscuits, and potato salad.
After they were finished eating, they got their fishing poles back out. Altogether, Paul caught five edible fish, and Elizabeth caught two. Patty and Elizabeth both caught several smaller fish. Paul threw them back into the creek, saying they were too small to eat.
"By the time you cleaned and fried them, there wouldn't even be one mouthful," he explained. "But we enjoyed having you with us today, and I hope you had fun."
"We did!" said Sharon, the more extroverted sister. "Thanks for inviting us along!"
"Did you enjoy your day, Patty?" asked Elizabeth.
"Yes, and I thank you as well," said Patty.
Both sisters slept very well that night.
