September 3, 1933
It had been nearly five years since the birth of Elizabeth. Now, it was the first day of the 1933-34 school year. John-Boy, who had just turned 17 in August, was in his junior year of high school. Jason was 15 and would be turning 16 in February. He was a sophomore. At 13, Mary Ellen was in the eighth grade. 11-year old Erin was starting her sixth grade year. Ben, now 10 years of age, was entering fifth grade. 7-year old Jim Bob was in first grade and Elizabeth, less than eight weeks from her 5th birthday, was beginning her first year of school in pre-kindergarten.
October 12, 1933
It was a beautiful mid-autumn Saturday afternoon. John-Boy was walking up on the mountain when he met a very special young woman. Her name was Jennifer Pendleton, but everyone called her Jenny.
"When did you come here?" John-Boy asked her later that evening when he took her to the Walton homestead.
"To be honest, I've somewhat run away. I wanted to make a life for myself here. Since my parents couldn't move at the time, I came by myself."
"How old are you Jenny?"
"I just turned 17."
"When?"
"Guess." She smiled.
"May." He smiled.
"I'll give you a hint. My birthstone is the sapphire."
"September." He smiled. "September 12th."
"Very close. I'm impressed." She smiled. "My birthday's actually September 16th, but your guess was pretty close. Let me guess yours. What is your birthstone?"
"I don't know the technical name for it, but it's the green one."
"Oh, I bet you're referring to the peridot!" she smiled.
"That's the name." he smiled.
"Then your birthday is in August. Let me guess, August 7th."
"August 17th." He smiled.
"Well I guessed one of the right numbers in your date."
"That you did." He smiled. "It was my golden birthday this year."
"So you were 17 on the 17th." She smiled. "Mine was last year when I turned 16 on the 16th."
"Jenny, I want to know everything about you. How tall are you? What's your favorite season? What's your favorite color? Favorite food?"
"Five feet five inches. Fall. Pink. And apple pie." She smiled.
"You're good. " he grinned.
"Well John-Boy, let me direct it towards you. Height. Favorite season. Favorite color. Favorite food."
"Five feet eleven inches. Spring. Red. And applesauce cake."
She smiled. "I like you John-Boy Walton."
"I like you Jenny Pendleton. And I'm glad you're here."
"I am too. "She smiled.
October 26, 1933
Jenny spent a lot of time with the Waltons over the next two weeks. Everyone grew to love her.
"Mrs. Walton, I have a favor to ask of you. Could I move in with you all? I'd do my fair share of the work and wouldn't be a bother at all. I'll help watch the children. And I'd be happy to pay you a rent."
"Nonsense Jenny, we love having you here. I won't have you pay."
"At least let me do some of the housework then."
"All right." Olivia smiled.
Jenny gladly took the broom and began sweeping the kitchen.
Jim Bob and Elizabeth came in.
"Mama, why is Jenny working?" the nearly 5-year old asked.
"Because I'm going to cook and clean and be just like one o the family!" Jenny beamed, tickling Elizabeth.
Elizabeth laughed and hugged her. "Now you can celebrate my birthday with me. It's on Saturday, two days from today. I'll be 5."
"Wow 5." She smiled. "I suppose you think I'm old."
"How old are you Jenny?" Elizabeth asked.
"17 since September 16th."
"Well you're not as old as John-Boy."
Jenny laughed out loud at the little girl's comment.
"I don't think you're old." Jim Bob smiled, hugging the teenager.
Jenny put her arms around the boy. "And when might your birthday be, Jim Bob?"
"June 13th. Over a week before Erin's, even though she's older. I'll be 8 next summer."
October 28, 1933
Everyone grew to love Jenny Pendleton more with each passing day.
After the festivities of Elizabeth's birthday party were done and everyone had gone to bed, Jason found himself in John-Boy's room. The two oldest Walton boys were closer than close. They told each other everything and had been best friends since the day of Jason's birth.
"You remember Sarah Bradford and Marcia Woolery, don't you Jason?"
"It's hard to forget Marcia Woolery." Jason chuckled. "We see her everyday in school, John-Boy. And yeah, I remember Sarah. She's that girl we all met last spring, right?"
"That's right. The thing is, Jenny's different than either of those girls. I can't put my finger on it. You being my brother, I thought you may be able to point it out."
Jason paused to think for a moment. He then spoke up. "You know what it is, John-Boy? It's maturity. When Sarah and Marcia were romantically involved with you, they were interested in just the taking. But for a relationship to be successful, you have to have both taking and giving. Jenny sees that. Marcia and Sarah didn't."
John-Boy smiled. "I knew I could count on you, Brother. Thanks, you've helped me a lot."
Jason smiled. "You're welcome."
January 13, 1934
By mid-January of 1934, Jenny's parents came back to Walton's Mountain. Her father was killed that very night in an automobile accident. Eula, her step-mother suffered a head injury. Jenny took this very hard. She was in a state of shock, not talking to anyone, even John-Boy or Eula.
January 16, 1934
Three days after the accident, Jenny finally responded. She responded to John-Boy telling her goodnight. She began to sob. He hugged her. He knew she would have some grief to get over but in the end, she would be fine.
January 18, 1934
Eula and Jenny were sitting in the porch swing at the Pendleton house.
"I really feel our place is here." Jenny said,
"So do I. But my contract as secretary at Mr. Bates' office in Richmond goes until August. Tell you what, Jenny, I'll go back to Richmond until August. You stay here with the Waltons. I'll come see you on weekends. Then in August, I can move back here with you. It will only be for a few months."
"Oh Eula, thank you!" Jenny hugged her step-mother. "I'll come home on a regular basis to make sure things are fine at the house."
"Just don't sleep over here. Promise me you'll stay at the Walton's at night. I won't have my young daughter sleeping alone in an empty house, even on Walton's Mountain. You never know."
"Yes ma'am. I just love rooming with Mary Ellen, Erin, and Elizabeth. I feel like their older sister."
Eula smiled. "I can't wait to get to know them, especially their oldest son."
Jenny grinned. "You noticed? With Father's sudden death, I haven't even told you about John-Boy."
"Of course I noticed, my Dear! Chemistry .Chemistry is definitely playing out between you and him."
Jenny smiled.
January 21, 1934
On Sunday morning, Eula left for Richmond.
"I'll call you." Eula told her daughter.
"Remember the Waltons don't have a phone. If you don't reach me at home, I'm at the Waltons and you can call me at Ike Godsey's store. He'll have me return your call."
"Wonderful dear. See you Saturday."
"Take care Eula. I'll look forward to this weekend. Love you."
"I love you Jenny." And with that, she drove off.
In about five minutes, Zeb drove over to the Pendleton house. "Headed to church, Jenny?" he asked.
"I was just going to walk."
"It's the 21st of January and very cold. Hat to see you get frostbite. Hop in the back, Honey."
"Thank you Mr. Walton." She smiled.
February 18, 1934
Eula had a busy week in Richmond and had come down with a cold. She decided to stay home so Jenny had been with the Waltons all week. It was Sunday and everyone was getting ready for church besides John.
"Come to church with us, John." Olivia persuaded her husband.
"Easter. I'll go on Easter."
She sighed. "Can't blame me for trying."
Olivia was having trouble balancing on her way across the street to the truck when coming out from the church.
"Oh Olivia!" Esther grabbed her arm. "You walking on the ice?"
"No, it's actually bare here, Grandma. Just lost my footing, I guess."
When they got home and walked in the front door, Olivia began to fall.
"Liv!" John ran to her . Zeb got on the other side and they carried her upstairs.
"John-Boy, go to Ike's and call Dr. Vance." John said.
"I'll go with you." Jenny replied.
They jumped in the truck and drove as quickly as John-Boy could to Ike's. After he called Dr. Vance and found out he was on his way, John-Boy drove back home. When they got back, they found Jason trying to calm everyone down.
"It's all right, Honey." Jason rubbed Erin's back as she sat on his lap. He dried her tears with his index finger and played with her hair.
John-Boy and Jenny sat down. Elizabeth sat on John-Boy's lap while Jim Bob sat beside Jenny and took hold of her hand. Jason sat with Erin on his lap. Erin and Ben just stared at the floor.
After about 45 minutes, the adults came down.
"Thank you, Doctor." John said as Dr. Vance left.
"Call me if she worsens. I don't care if it's in the middle of the night. You wake Ike Godsey up and you call me."
"I surely will, Doc. Thanks."
"What's wrong with mama?" Mary Ellen asked. "Is it serious?"
John sighed. "There's no easy way to tell you this. Your mama's real sick, she's got polio."
Elizabeth was very scared.
"Polio? Mama?" Erin asked.
"What's polio?" Jim Bob asked.
"It's a disease that usually affects children. But it sometimes affects adults too. It affects the legs." Jason replied.
"You remember Aria Lee?" Mary Ellen asked.
"You mean the girl with wires in her legs and crutches?" Elizabeth asked.
Mary Ellen tearfully nodded.
"I'm scared Mary Ellen." Elizabeth softly said.
Mary Ellen gave her a hug and set her on her lap.
"Well what can we do?" Ben asked.
"Help around the house. I'll need to feel your love an you'll need to feel mine. And Mama will definitely to feel your love." John said.
"When can we see her?" Ben asked.
"You'll see her real soon." John smiled. "Just as soon as the doctor says it's not catchy. She wants to see you real bad."
"Daddy, what if Mama can never walk again?" Erin tearfully asked the inevitable question on everyone's minds.
Elizabeth began to cry and she buried her head in Mary Ellen's shoulder. Tears streamed down Mary Ellen's cheeks. The room fell silent.
"Nonsense," Grandpa chimed in. "Our president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, ahd polio. It hasn't stopped him, has it?"
"Not so you could notice." John-Boy tried to be optimistic.
John stroked Erin's hair. "I'll sure be counting on y'all's help. But finish your homework" John started to go up the stairs.
Elizabeth ran to her father. "Daddy! There's just one thing I don't understand?"
John sat on the stairs and picked up Elizabeth. "What's that Baby?"
"Why Mama? She didn't do anything wrong."
"Well Sweetheart, I'm trying to figure that out myself."
That night, all seven children plus Jenny sat outside their parents' door.
"Goodnight Mama." Mary Ellen said.
Olivia smiled at John. "Goodnight Mary Ellen."
"Goodnight Mama."
"Goodnight Elizabeth."
"Goodnight Mama."
"Goodnight Jim Bob."
"Goodnight Mama."
"Goodnight Ben."
"Goodnight Mama."
"Goodnight Jason."
"Goodnight Mama."
"Goodnight John-Boy."
"Goodnight Mrs. Walton."
"Goodnight Jenny."
There was a pause.
"Aren't you going to say goodnight Erin?" Mary Ellen asked her younger sister.
"Go on Sweetheart." John-Boy coaxed.
Erin sighed. "Goodnight Mama."
Olivia beamed. "Goodnight Erin."
Jason smiled at Erin.
"All right everyone, time for bed." John-Boy said.
Everyone headed for bed.
"Goodnight John-Boy." Jason smiled.
"Night Brother. Sleep well." John-Boy smiled.
"You too. See ya in the mornin'."
"See ya Jason."
February 19, 1934
"Daddy, we can start walking if this is any trouble for you." John-Boy said.
"Not at all, Son." John smiled.
"Well we'll walk home this afternoon."
"Sure Son. But you, Jenny, and Jason see that the kids are bundled up good. Yourselves too. Spring may be on its way, but it's not quite here yet."
"We will Daddy. See you later."
After school, Erin sat on the swing while her brothers and sisters got ready to go home.
"Come on Erin." Mary Ellen said.
She didn't acknowledge her older sister.
"Erin." Mary Ellen said louder.
"Erin." Elizabeth said.
"Yes Elizabeth?" Erin responded.
"Didn't you hear Mary Ellen calling for you?"
"No just you Elizabeth. I'm sorry Mary Ellen."
"It's okay Erin." Mary Ellen replied. "It wasn't anything important anyway. I was just asking if you were ready to go home."
"In a minute."
"Jason, I'll take these kids home. You come with Erin, okay?" John-Boy told his brother.
"Sure John-Boy." Jason replied.
Jason sat on a swing by Erin. "Put your jacket on Honey. It's chilly." He gently helped her. "Are you okay, Sweetheart?"
"Just tired, I guess."
He smiled. "Well I'm glad it's just bein' tired. Come on, Little Sis, let's go home."
When they got within sight of their house, Erin stopped.
"You okay?" Jason asked
She stared at the house.
Jason spoke to her again. "Darlin'?"
"Hold my hand, Jason. I'm cold."
He did so and put an arm around her. After homework, Jason saw John-Boy in the hall upstairs.
"Jason, how's Erin?"
"Boys, supper." Grandma called.
"We'll talk after supper, all right?" Jason asked.
"Sure." John-Boy replied.
After the night's mill work was done, the boys came in around 8:30. After getting ready for bed, Jason knocked on John-Boy's door.
"John-Boy, it's Jase."
"Oh, come on in Jason."
He came in and shut the door. "I wanted to finish our conversation from before supper."
"Sure. I appreciate you staying with Erin this afternoon."
"Oh, it was no problem. After you guys left, I helped her put her coat on. She just had her dress and a cardigan on. That might be enough for April, but you need more for the middle of February. Anyway, she seemed distant, like she's daydreaming. So I asked her if anything was wrong and she just said she was tired. She was real quiet on the walk home. She stopped when we reached the gap in the trees, the one where you first see the house. She asked me to hold her hand because she was cold. So I held her hand as well as wrap an arm around her. I felt her shaking. Whether that was from the cold, I'm not sure. But other than that, she seemed fine."
"Well she's eleven years old, soon to be twelve in June. What do girls of that age struggle with?"
"My money's on a boyfriend. My guess is she has a boyfriend and doesn't want any of us to know."
"Maybe, but I think it has to do more with Mama." John-Boy replied. "Erin has taken her illness the hardest of all of us. I mean, if you think about it, she's right in the middle of us children. You, Mary Ellen, and I, we're the older ones and can see how we can be of help. Ben, Jim Bob, and Elizabeth are the younger ones and they don't fully understand what's going on now. They do, however, know that Mama is sick and things are different. They just can't quite put all the pieces of the puzzle together at their age. But Erin's right in the middle. She's probably feeling a bit of both scenarios. That can be a tough spot to be in."
"Wow, poor girl." Jason sighed.
"Yeah, I'll talk to Jenny. Maybe Jenny's noticed something we haven't. Maybe she can reach her somehow."
"I hope so." Jason replied.
"Me too."
February 20, 1934
Dr. Vance came in the afternoon to check on Olivia. The children got their afternoon class homework and went home to see how their mother was.
"Well?" Mary Ellen asked when John came downstairs.
"Dr. Vance says you can see her." John smiled.
Six children plus Jenny ran upstairs but Mary Ellen stopped when she saw Erin still at the table.
"Aren't you coming, Erin?" she asked.
Erin got up and ran outside. Mary Ellen shrugged and went upstairs.
"This is my medicine." Olivia smiled, greeting six of her children and Jenny.
"Oh Mary Ellen, I hardly recognize you without your baseball mitt. Miss Elizabeth, I hear you're sucking your thumb again? And John-Boy without his notebook and pencil?! I never see that. Jason, I 'm so proud of you for entering that amateur contest. Jim Bob, if you don't cut your hair, someone will mistake you for a sheepdog. Ben, oh you have no idea how proud I am of you for getting an award for your Bible verse memorization. Jenny, if you keep helping Grandma out like you are, I may just have to keep you!" Olivia paused. "Where's Erin ?"
Elizabeth shrugged.
"She was downstairs with us at the table." Jason said.
"I'll go find her." John-Boy replied.
John-Boy went downstairs. He saw his grandmother standing at the stove, stirring a pot. "Grandma, have you seen Erin?"
She nodded to the door. "She ran outside."
John-Boy looked through the yard. He heard sobs coming from the barn. He went inside the barn.
"Erin." He said, looking at his 11-year old sister. There she sat in the straw, sobbing her heart out.
He sat down by her and gently took her hand and spoke to her in a soft voice. "Why don't you come inside, Sweetheart? Your mama's looking for you."
"John-Boy, I'm afraid." She sobbed.
"You've got nothing to be afraid of." He gently responded.
"I don't wanna see Mama sick," she choked over the sobs and lump in her throat. "Like a different person."
"Erin." John-Boy said, the hurt evident in his voice.
She sobbed and hugged her oldest brother. "John-Boy, I don't want Mama to change!"
"Erin, pipe down, Honey." He soothed, pain in his voice. "Erin, now listen to me. The important things about your mama haven't changed and they never could." He felt tears stinging his own eyes. "The way she feels about you and me." He swallowed back the hard lump that arose in his throat, as he too was becoming emotional. He tried his best not to cry. "Maybe she can't walk now, but she's the same person. And she wants to see you."
"I'm ashamed." Erin cried.
John-Boy filled with empathy. "Darling, it's a perfectly natural thing to want the ones we love to stay the same." He stood up. "Your mama's waitin' on you." He gave her his hands and helped her to her feet. He gave her a tissue and wrapped his arms around her. She was still crying. "Shhh…" he soothed. He hugged her. She began sobbing very hard.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" he rubbed her back.
She kept sobbing until she could compose herself enough to speak. "I'm just afraid, relieved… Everything." She sobbed.
"I understand Erin, I really do. It's all right now." He said, hugging her. John-Boy himself felt like crying, but he remained strong for her. He held his sister in his arms. He loved this precious girl. He'd been taking care of her all but six of his 17 years.
Within a few minutes, Erin was ready to go see Olivia. John-Boy held Erin's hand. "It's okay Sweetie."
They walked into their parents' room. "Here's your stray lamb." John smiled.
"Erin!" Olivia beamed.
Erin let go of John-Boy's hand and ran to her mother. "Mama!"
February 21, 1934
John and Zeb took Jim Bob and Elizabeth to help plant crocuses, Olivia's favorite flower.
"They should be blooming by Easter." John said.
That night, Erin woke up in a cold sweat. She had a nightmare. She tip-toed past her sleeping sisters into the hallway. Seeing the light under John-Boy's door, she felt relief. She had someone to talk to since Jenny, Mary Ellen, Elizabeth, and the three younger boys were all asleep.
She knocked on the door quietly. "John-Boy, it's Erin. Can I come in?"
"Sure Honey." He replied.
She sat on his bed. "John-Boy, I had a nightmare. I dreamt that Mama…" her throat got a lump in it and she couldn't speak over it. After a minute, the lump subsided enough that she could talk. "I dreamt that Mama died." At the speaking of these words, Erin began bawling.
John-Boy moved from his desk to his bed. "Sweetheart?" he hugged her.
"It was so real, so terrible. I'm so scared." She sobbed. "John-Boy, I'm sooo scared!"
He began to cry with her. "I'm so sorry you had that dream, Darling. And I'm scared too." He let out a little sob.
She had rarely seen either of her two oldest brothers cry. But here was John-Boy with tears streaming down both his cheeks. Tears of pain that he'd been holding back so long. Holding back for Mary Ellen and Elizabeth. For Ben and Jim Bob. For Daddy. For everyone. But he finally was letting them come. He sat there, shaking his head and staring at the floor as the tears continued to fall. Erin cried harder. She was so scared and not used to seeing John-Boy this vulnerable.
John-Boy came back to now after having zoned out for a minute. "Sh…" John-Boy whispered. "Just let it out." He rubbed her back.
"But everyone's asleep." She replied.
"It's okay." John-Boy said. "Just let it out. These walls are thick. I can't promise to make Mama better, but I can promise to cry with you."
Erin nodded.
John-Boy hugged her, his body shaking with sobs. Erin began sobbing the hardest she ever had. She hugged John-Boy. After two or three minutes of sobbing, they quieted down.
"Do you feel better Honey?" John-Boy asked.
"Yeah, I do. But I'm still scared." A hot tear worked its way down her right cheek.
John-Boy took her face in his hands and gently brushed the tears away. She reached up and wiped his cheeks as well.
"I am too Erin, it's okay." He replied.
"Goodnight John-Boy. Thanks for letting me come in and talk. Thanks for crying with me. I feel better."
"No problem Sweetheart. I don't enjoy crying, but you have no idea how much I needed a good sob. I feel better as well. Goodnight now."
March 28, 1934
John-Boy noticed John hadn't been encouraging Olivia like he previously had. He just remained silent.
Olivia hadn't made much improvement. The weather was still bitterly cold and there was no sign of spring anywhere.
That afternoon on the mountain, John-Boy spoke up.
"Daddy, I just can't see how you can watch her like that." John-Boy said, becoming emotional.
"Son, I don't like it. But it's what we've got right now. It's reality."
"Oh come on Daddy. That's all you're doing? That's like looking up at the sky and saying 'Okay Lord, this is your will!'" John-Boy shouted as he cried. But his voice softened. "I can't accept that, Daddy, and I don't know how you can accept that."
"Well you can shake your fist at the sky, but is that gonna change anything?!" John yelled.
"Daddy, you listen here!" John-Boy shouted. "When I was a boy, I worshipped the ground you walked on and believed deep in my heart everything you told me." Tears covered both his cheeks and he put his hand behind his head as his voice quieted down. "But now I just can't believe a word you're saying to me."
"We're both hurting, Son." John replied gently.
"I've never hurt like this before." John-Boy was barely able to speak above the lump in his throat. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he stood there, shaking his head.
John stood by his firstborn and hugged him. "Let it out, Son. You've been so strong for your brothers and sisters, Jenny, your grandparents, your mama, and me. Now it's time someone be strong for you. Just let it out."
John gave his son a little squeeze, knowing that doing this to someone who was on the verge of tears would help them start crying. He knew his son would feel better after a good cry. John-Boy began sobbing, at first quietly, but slowly becoming louder and louder until he was bawling very loudly. His entire body shook with sobs. After about three minutes, he quieted down. John handed him a tissue.
"Sorry." John-Boy apologized for his loud sobs.
"Don't apologize, Son. You feel better, right?"
"Yes, I do."
"It was worth it hen. Let's go home Son."
March 29, 1934
While John and Zeb were in Charlottesville the next day, John-Boy and Ben were over at Yancy Tucker's working. During that time, the Baldwin sisters brought their father's wheelchair over. Olivia smiled politely and thanked them, even though she felt this was the worst thing anyone could do. Olivia held back her tears until the Baldwin sisters left. She then began to cry. Esther saw the Baldwin sisters to the door.
"What happened, Grandma?" Elizabeth asked.
The Baldwin sisters brought over a wheelchair." Grandma replied. She then went upstairs into the grandparents' room and shut the door.
Elizabeth was about to cry. Mary Ellen hugged her.
"Mama will be okay, won't she?" Elizabeth asked.
Erin ran upstairs.
"I'll talk to her." Jenny said softly. "Stay with Elizabeth."
Mary Ellen nodded. "We just have to hope for the best, Honey." She kissed Elizabeth's forehead.
Jason and Jim Bob sat outside on the porch.
"Ben promised to help me with my math homework but he ditched me." Jim Bob said in disgust.
"Tell you what, if I help you with your math, will you help me sharpen the blades? John-Boy was gonna help me but he's gone as well."
"It's a deal." Jim Bob smiled.
Jason smiled and the brothers stood up to go in the house.
Mary Ellen came out. "Jason, the Baldwin sisters brought a wheelchair over, a wheelchair for Mama. Jenny's upstairs. Erin and Elizabeth are crying and she's trying to comfort them. Jason, I'm scared."
Jason, who had just turned 16 about six weeks earlier, searched for the words of comfort his 13-year old sister was looking for. But he was only a couple years older than her and was just as scared.
"Get Jenny, Erin, and Elizabeth. We can talk in the barn." He replied.
Mary Ellen nodded and went back in the house.
"Jason," 7-year old Jim Bob was scared as well.
Jason put a hand on Jim Bob's shoulder. "Let's go to the barn, little brother."
When the girls came out, Erin and Elizabeth were still crying. Jason sat with Erin. Jenny sat with Elizabeth. Mary Ellen put an arm around Jim Bob. They just talked and expressed their fears.
April 1, 1934
Olivia awoke from a dream in which she heard Elizabeth calling her name. She stood up in her sleep and walked.
John came upstairs with the children.
"Liv!" he exclaimed.
She was just as surprised as him and the children.
"I heard Elizabeth calling. I went to see what she needed. I guess I just got up without thinking."
Everyone was quiet for a second. They then showered her with hugs.
"You're gonna go to the Easter sunrise service!" John exclaimed, kissing his wife. "Oh Liv!"
Olivia never enjoyed an Easter Sunday more than the Easter Sunrise Service in 1934.
August 25, 1934
Eula returned to Walton's Mountain.
"Eula!" Jenny kissed her cheek.
"Jenny Dear, I've missed you."
"I've missed you too Eula."
After having supper with the Walton family, Jenny got her things and went to her father's house with Eula.
"It feels so weird not staying here anymore." Jenny told Olivia.
"You can come tomorrow. Spend as much time here as you'd like."
"Thank you. I'll be seeing everyone a lot too. Church tomorrow. And then school in another week or two. Thank you, you've all been so kind."
November 14, 1934
It had started out like any other Wednesday. It was the middle of November and the leaves were falling off the trees as fast as snow falls from the sky in a January blizzard. Thanksgiving was eight days away.
After school, John-Boy and Jason went to help their father and grandfather in the mill as they usually did. But an accident happened. A saw belt came loose and smacked John-Boy in the head. The blow was so great that it knocked him off his feet.
"John-Boy!" Jason exclaimed, rushing to his brother's side. "Are you all right?"
John and Zeb rushed over as well.
"You all right, Son?" John asked.
"I think so." John-Boy said.
"Maybe you'd better lie down." Zeb suggested.
"Really Grandpa, I'll be fine."
"You'd better do as Grandpa says." Jason suggested.
John-Boy sighed. "All right. But I really am fine."
November 19, 1934
But John-Boy wasn't fine. Over the next few days he noticed things were blurry. John and Olivia took him to Charlottesville. Eula and Jenny went with them.
"He needs and operation." The doctor said. "This surgery will fix his vision troubles."
John, Olivia, John-Boy, Eula, and Jenny all agreed that surgery would be best so they left John-Boy at the hospital.
"How is he?" Jason asked when everyone returned home.
Everyone gathered in the living room to listen to the news.
"He's in Charlottesville. He's having an operation in the morning."
"Is it a ad operation?" Mary Ellen asked.
"He'll be up and around after a week. It's his forehead."
"Daddy, you just left him there by himself! Couldn't you have left someone with him?" Erin asked as she began to cry. Jenny hugged her.
"Jenny and I are going back tonight." Eula said. "The doctor got us a room there at the hospital. We don't want him to be alone if we can help it."
After eating with the Waltons, Eula and Jenny took three days' worth of things to Charlottesville.
"John-Boy." Jenny smiled.
"Jenny, you're back!" John-Boy hugged her.
"And I'm not alone." Jenny smiled as Eula came in.
"Mrs. Pendleton!" he hugged her. "Oh it was so wonderful of the doctor to find you a room. I'm so glad you and Jenny are here. Next to my family, you two are the most important people in my life."
Jenny smiled. "We'll be here with you for the next three days."
"The doctor said that I can maybe go on Thursday." John-Boy replied.
"That's Thanksgiving!" Jenny exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face.
"That would be terrific if you could." Eula smiled.
November 23, 1934
John-Boy's surgery was a success and he was able to come home on Thanksgiving. Everyone was thrilled to have him home once again.
That afternoon when everyone was elsewhere, John-Boy went to his parents' room and talked to them about marrying Jenny. They were both thrilled for him and gave him their blessing. John-Boy went downstairs, sat, and talked with Eula in the living room.
"Mrs. Pendleton, I was wondering… well, over the past year, I've come to the conclusion that Jenny is the one. I love your daughter and want to spend the rest of my life with her. Mrs. Pendleton, may I have your permission and blessing to marry Jenny?"
Eula beamed. "John-Boy, I give you my fullest blessing. Jenny loves you very much. I see it in her eyes every day. When she's not with you, she wishes she could be and when she is with you, you can just tell she wants to spend the rest of her life with you. Yes, you may ask her to marry you."
John-Boy beamed. "Thank you Mrs. Pendleton!"
Eula smiled. "John-Boy, call me Eula or Mom. I have a feeling that I'll be your mother-in-law before too much longer."
"Thank you Eula." He kissed her cheek. "I love you so much."
John-Boy went outside and found Jenny. He asked her to take a walk with him. He took her up to the old Homestead, where they had first met and talked.
"It's so beautiful." Jenny smiled. "It'll be winter soon. Soon all this land will be covered in a blanket of white snow."
"Jenny, I brought you here because this is where we met. I fell in love with you when we first talked. This past year has been the best year of my life."
"It's been the best year of my life too, John-Boy." She smiled. "I can't imagine my life without you. I love you so much."
"I love you so much Jenny. Whenever I think about my life in ten years, I include you. I don't want to live the rest of my life without you." He got down onto one knee and pulled out a ring.
Jenny gasped. "John!" she whispered.
"Jennifer Sue Pendleton, will you marry me?"
She smiled. "John George Walton, I'd marry you any day. The answer is yes!"
He slipped the ring on her hand and kissed her.
"Let's go tell everyone." She smiled.
On the way back to the house, John-Boy and Jenny met up with Mary Ellen and Erin who were taking a walk. Mary Ellen and Erin had no idea what their brother's plan was.
"Hey," Erin smiled, greeting them.
"Hi Erin," John-Boy smiled.
"Did you two walk up to the old homestead?" Mary Ellen asked.
"We did, we're just coming back." John-Boy replied.
Jenny took the opportunity to surprise her soon-to-be sisters-in-law with the exciting news. She extended her hand to the girls. "Look what your brother got me." she smiled.
Both the girls squealed. Erin melted into tears and hugged Jenny. Mary Ellen too began to sob. John-Boy picked her up off the ground and held her in a warm brotherly hug.
"I can't believe it!" Erin sobbed.
"Did we completely take you by surprise?" Jenny asked.
"Yes," Erin choked out through sobs, clinging to Jenny.
"What do you think? Did your brother do well?" Jenny smiled.
"He did amazing!" Erin replied, covering her face with her hands and sobbing tears of joy.
John-Boy gently set Mary Ellen back on the ground on her feet. Erin wiped her tears away and went to hug John-Boy while Mary Ellen hugged Jenny.
"Erin," John-Boy smiled, tears in his eyes, as he hugged his sister.
Mary Ellen threw her arms around Jenny and sobbed from happy tears.
"I'm so happy for you!" Mary Ellen beamed, hugging Jenny. She paused to dry her tears.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Jenny beamed, showing the beautiful sapphire ring to her sisters-in-law.
"Oh my goodness, yes!" Mary Ellen smiled.
"It's perfect, Jenny. He picked out your birthstone and everything. You did great, John-Boy!" Erin hugged her brother again.
"I just can't believe it! You're gonna be our sister!" Mary Ellen beamed.
"I can't believe it either. But I'm so happy it's gonna happen."
"Me too."
"So am I." Erin beamed, happy tears glistening in her eyes.
Back at the house, John-Boy and Jenny made their announcement. Everyone clapped.
Elizabeth hugged Jenny. "I knew you'd be my sister one day! I just knew it!"
Everyone showered the couple with hugs, kisses, and well-wishes.
January 12, 1935
As winter progressed, Jenny and John-Boy planned the wedding. They decided that the wedding would be on June 12, 1934.
"It's in summer, but not too far into it." Jenny said. "I know how busy preachers are with weddings in the summer. Summer is just a time for weddings, I guess."
"Oh yes, EVERYONE gets married in supper. May-September are the most common months for a wedding around here." John-Boy smiled.
"How does buttercup yellow sound as the bridesmaid dress color?"
"Anything you choose sounds lovely." John-Boy replied with a smile. He kissed her on the lips. "I love you, Baby!"
"I love you." She smiled.
February 14, 1935
On the night of Valentine's Day, John-Boy and Jenny met with his siblings.
"I've asked Ike Godsey to give me away." Jenny said. "But we have yet to have our attendants set. We'd like to ask all of you."
Everyone smiled.
"Mary Ellen," Jenny asked. "Would you be my maid of honor?"
Mary Ellen was shocked but ecstatic. "Oh yes." She smiled.
"Erin, would you be my bridesmaid?"
"I'd love to Jenny." Erin smiled.
"Elizabeth, would you be my flower girl?"
"Yes!" Elizabeth smiled.
John-Boy spoke next. "Grandma is playing piano while the attendants, Ike, and Jenny walk in. Now for my attendants. Jason, would you be my best man?"
"You bet, Brother." Jason smiled.
"Ben, how about being my groomsman?"
"I wouldn't want you to choose anyone else." Ben smiled.
"Jim Bob, I know you'll be just a day short of 9 years of age, but would you be my ring bearer? I'd like to have all my brothers involved."
"Sure." Jim Bob smiled.
"What color are we wearing?" Mary Ellen asked.
"Buttercup yellow." Jenny smiled.
"Oh, that will be perfect for June!" Mary Ellen grinned.