A Summer Wedding on Walton's Mountain
The summer of 1946 brought many changes to Walton's Mountain as I returned to New York. The end of the war brought a new optimism to the world and a new set of faces to our dinner table each with their own characters and problems.
"Elizabeth pass me another knife and fork," Erin said, her hands swiftly rearranging the dinner places, which had already been laid out. Elizabeth pulled her head from the cupboard where she was putting away the pots with a frown.
"But I counted 11," she said. She had only finished setting the table and knew she hadn't missed anyone out.
"Paul's staying for supper," Erin informed her. Elizabeth nodded, thinking that she should always just set an extra place now the way people seemed to just pop up in time for supper.
"It's hard to keep track of dinner these days," Cindy laughed. Erin nodded and stood at the top of the table. Silently she checked off each place for each person. Jason and Toni. Mary Ellen, John Curtis and Jonesy. Herself and Paul. Ben and Cindy. Jim Bob. Elizabeth and Drew.
"Hey! Slow down!" The door from the back porch opened and a giggling, soaking wet John Curtis ran in, follow close behind by Drew who was trying to catch him.
"John Curtis!" Erin scolded.
"Drew what did you do to him?" Elizabeth gasped. Her boyfriend had only been asked to look after the six year old for a half hour while she helped get supper.
"He fell into the pond. But he's fine," Drew reassured the girls that their nephew was fine.
"Come on John Curtis. Let's get you dried off before your Mama gets home," Erin said, taking the boy's hand and directing him up the stairs.
"Do you need anything?" Drew asked.
"I think you've done enough," Elizabeth said.
"You can run over to the mill and tell everyone supper is ready," Cindy said. Drew nodded and headed back outside as the front door squeaked open.
"I'm home," Mary Ellen called out, dropping her bag on to the armchair and strolling into the kitchen to join her sisters.
"Supper's about ready. How was class?" Cindy asked.
"Fine," Mary Ellen asked, as she washed her hands. The girls continued their normal chatter as the kitchen began to fill with the rest of the family; finished with the day's work and ready for supper. Jim Bob was the last to sit down, just as Ben was ready to say grace.
"Lord, we ask your blessing on this food and thank you for watching over all of us here tonight and everyone who is not here. Amen."
Hands began to reach for the plates and bowls in the middle of the table and voices began talking and questioning about the day's events.
"I was talking to Mr Tate in the store earlier Jim Bob. He says his car has never driven as well," Erin said as she passed Mary Ellen the peas. Jim Bob smiled, his garage was really taking off. He hasn't expected to be so busy.
"What time's the movie at?" Elizabeth asked Drew.
"Seven," he answered.
"We'll go just after supper. Do you mind if I don't wash up?" Elizabeth said, looking up the table. Her sisters shook their heads, there were enough hands to do the clearing up.
"Can we wait till after dessert?" Drew checked. He had seen Cindy taking the apple pie out of the oven earlier and he was not missing getting his slice.
"How'd today go Toni?" Mary Ellen asked.
"What?" Toni, who had been in a world of her own looked at her.
"The interview," Mary Ellen said. The interview that she'd been thinking so much about the past few days.
"Oh yeah. Good I think. They said they'd let me know in a couple of days," she replied.
"They'd be stupid not to hire you," Jason interjected. That was probably true, Toni was more than qualified to teach music at Charlottesville High School and she'd the recommendation of Mrs Breckinridge thanks to Jason.
"You have to say that," she countered, knowing her fiancé would take her side in anything.
"You're still coming shopping with me tomorrow right?" Cindy checked and Toni nodded.
"I wish I could go with you. I need a shopping day," Erin said. "I realised today I've been wearing this shirt for three years."
"We aren't used to treating ourselves to new clothes," Mary Ellen pointed out. Growing up as children of the Depression and then wartime rationing made them very economical when it came to clothes. It was mostly make do and mend and then hand-me-downs. Even as they sat around the table Elizabeth was wearing a dress that used to be Erin's and Ben an old shirt of Jason's.
The next day found Cindy and Toni wandering through the bustling streets of Charlottesville, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they perused the shops in search of new additions to Virginia's growing wardrobe.
To say Cindy Brunson Walton and Antoinette Hazelton had become best friends would be an understatement. It had been six months since Toni had moved in with the Baldwins after being discharged, and since then the two spent every opportunity together, talking and laughing as if they'd known each other for years. Cindy loved her sisters-in-law but it was a lot to always be surrounded by Waltons, so having a friend close by was a breath of fresh air. Recently Ben had remarked that it seemed she spent more time with Toni than him; and she could only laugh because with him so busy at the mill he was probably right. Jason had agreed with the sentiment and teasingly asked Toni if she'd prefer to marry Cindy, and her reply to that was "maybe, it might happen sooner than our wedding," because her fiancé seemed to have no urgency about tying the knot.
Gainor's Department Store was quite busy, filled with the sound of clinking handlers and chattering shoppers going about their business.
"I can't believe how fast she's growing. I swear every day she looks bigger," Cindy remarked, looking through another rail of tiny dresses. Toni nodded in agreement, the little girl really was sprouting up and becoming more confident in moving and speaking.
"I like this one," she said, holding up a little green and white striped dress. Cindy nodded in agreement.
"That should do it then," the blonde said.
With their shopping complete, Cindy made her way to the counter to pay, while Toni neatly folded the discarded clothes. As she glanced over, Cindy noticed Toni lingering near the baby clothes, her expression wistful.
"You okay?" Cindy asked, looping her arm through Toni's as she approached.
Toni forced a smile. "Yeah, just thinking."
Cindy followed her gaze to the baby items and then back to Toni, a knowing look passing between them. Without a word, Toni's face confirmed Cindy's suspicions,
"You're...?" Cindy's voice trailed off, eyes widening in surprise.
Toni nodded, her own emotions a tumultuous mix of fear and anticipation. "Please, don't say anything. Not yet, she pleaded softly.
Cindy squeezed her friend's arm reassuringly. "I won't. Let's go for lunch, and you can tell me everything."
"There's nothing to tell," Toni said. She still didn't know how she felt about it. It wasn't an ideal situation but it could have been worse. She and Jason had been dating over two years, and had been engaged for six months; but a baby could change things. Things had been working well the way they were. She wasn't sure what other people would think. Times may be changing but it was 1946, they still hadn't changed enough for babies outside marriage. She was nervous about the Walton family would think – Mrs Walton in particular.
"What about Jason?" Cindy asked, as they sat down.
"He doesn't know yet. You're the only one I've told," Toni said, suddenly feeling a little guilty; maybe she should have told someone before now.
"How long have you known?" Cindy asked.
"A week," Toni revealed, feeling almost a little guilty that she'd kept it to herself so long. It hadn't been the time to tell anyone, was her excuse to herself. She needed to get the job interview over with. That had been the priority.
Cindy looked at her wondering how she'd been able to keep a secret. Toni continued reading the menu, trying to distract herself, but her stomach was doing somersaults. To be honest she'd felt ill all morning, and telling her friend her secret had made her feel worse. Confirming that it was real.
"Don't worry about it," Cindy said, gently, reaching to pst her hand. Toni nodded, but it was easy for her to say that. "Jason will be thrilled."
That much Toni knew. He'd practically talked about having a family as soon as the war ended. He wanted a big family like the one he grew up a part of. And he was so good with John Curtis and Ginny. She looked forward to his reaction. She wasn't nervous about telling him but it was her own doubts and fears that had kept her quiet for so long. She was the opposite. No family. How could she be a mother when she had lost her own at age six. It scared her. And she really didn't want to know what other people would think.
"I can't remember my mother," Toni said, just as a waitress came to take their order.
"A ham and cheese sandwich please and a water," Cindy said.
"I'll have a tuna salad and water thanks," Toni said. The girl nodded and walked away.
"I was terrified when I found out about Ginny and you know something? It still scares me," Cindy admitted.
"But you're so good at it," Toni said. It seemed to come easy to her, as it did with the Walton girls. She'd watched them the past few years with John Curtis and Ginny; they were naturals with babies. She on the other hand was not. She'd learned how to work the Walton grandchildren but the idea of a newborn scared her. A little thing completely dependent on her. How would she know what it needed.
"You'll be too. Trust me," Cindy said, with a reassuring smile. She understood Toni's nerves. Being an orphan and having no clear memories of her parents. Cindy had been thirteen when her mother died, so while she had the fortune of her memories she had the pain of not having her there for her teenage years; and then the discovery of her birth mother had made her question so much more.