Billy was already up and dressed by the time I finally got out of bed. His mother was already, of course, downstairs in the store and Estelle was helping her. As I was pouring myself a cup of coffee at the dining room table, Billy snuck up behind me and gave me a big kiss on the back of my neck. I turned around and he greeted me with a tender kiss on the lips. "Sleep well?" were his first words after we came up for air.
"Actually, very well. And you?"
"Quite well, but I can hardly wait until we are married. I hate to sleep alone."
"Me, too. Any idea when we can make our relationship legal?"
"Tomorrow is Monday. We can go to the town hall and get the lisence then. I wanted to check with you first, but how would you feel about asking Paul if he could perform the ceremony for us. He is an ordained minister."
"Billy, that sounds great." I gave him an affectionate hug to show my approval.
"Okay, I will call him. First, I think we should ask Mom if we can be married right here. After all, this is her house. Would you not like to be married here?"
"Oh, Billy, that would be wonderful."
"We have a lot to do. First of all let us go see Mom and see what she has to say. I do know that she will be thrilled. I know that in time she will learn to love you as much as I do. But for right now, come over and give me a kiss, please, hopefully the Soon-to-be-Mrs-Duke."
I kissed him long hard on the lips, but not before I answered with, "I like the sound of that - Mrs. Duke."
We finished our breakfast - or should I say brunch. Then Billy and I went downstairs.
The store was just an average general store. The store was stocked with just about everything people would ever want to eat. There also was a meat counter with some cold cuts, beef, chicken, veal and pork. They also had a small cheese counter. Along the back wall was a dairy section and several wall freezers with frozen vegetables, dinners etc.
Billy had been leading the way and I followed him. Mrs. Duke was busy with a customer and Estelle was talking to the girl with the customer. Billy and I waited until they were finished with the customer and we approached them.
Billy whispered in my ear, "Well ready?"
I gave his a quick kiss on the cheek and I answered, "Well, it might as well be now as never."
"You make it sound as if it is a life sentence." He gave that patented grin that I had learned to recognize as only reserved for me.
"Well, if i can quote you 'it is the best paid army in the world.'"
"Hey, I am looking forward to the fringe benefits."
"Billy, you are terrrible."
Just then, Mrs. Duke interriputed our moment together. "Hey, it is about time you guys got up. How did you sleep?"
"Thanks, Mom. You remember Sherri?"
"I certainly do." She turned to me and gave me a big hug, "Glad to see you again Sherri. "
Billy also re-introduced me to his sister Estelle.
Estelle joined the conversation, "I am glad to see you guys again."
"What were you two whispering about a few minutes ago. Billy, I thought I taught you it was not nice to whisper in front of others. You two look like you have a secret to share."
Billy smiled at his mother, "Well, I could never pull anything over you, could I?"
"Nope, I am the one who changed your diapers, kid, so spill the beans."
"Okay, Sherri," he looked at me, "i guess we have been busted. She knows something is up. " He turned back to face his mother and announced, "Sherri and I want to get married as soon as possible." Her eyes lit up and she leaned over to embrace both of us. Billy continued, "We were thinking as early as Tuesday upstairs in the living room, if you will give us your permission."
"I would be honoured to have the wedding here. Sherri, I don't know you that well, but from what I can see, you two love each other a whole lot. I thimk you two are old enough to know what you want."
Estelle said, "I never had a sister and, Sherri, I hope that we can be sisters."
"Estelle, I would love that. I never had any brothers or sisters."
Just then, someone came into the store and Billy said that we should get back upstairs and do the dishes. We also had a task ahead of us - to make a list of all the things that needed to do for the wedding. He also had to phone Paul to ask him about conducting the wedding.
"Hi, Cindy, how are you?" Billy asked when he phoned the Hernderson residence." "It is Billy Duke.......Is Paul there?.......He is?............Can I speak to him?..........Is he busy?..........Thanks...........Paul?..........It's Billy Duke.........I am fine. Thank you. And you?........She is right here..........She is fine, too...........Listen, buddy,I need a favour.........Are you on busy on Tuesday?...........No. (He shook his head he said "no.")......Okay, great. ....Sherri and I want to kinow if you will marry us on Tuesday........Yes? You wil? Great.......Right here at my mother's place..........About 3 hours from Toronto. .......Say about noon or 1 pm?.......Okay, well then, Sherri and I have a lot of things and planning to do so. Tell you what, I'll give you a call tomorrow night to confirm Tuesday. I can give you a directions at that time. Talk to you tomorrow night...........Thanks again, buddy. Bye."
After Billy hung up the phone, he turned to me, picked me up, swung me around which caused my feet to leave the ground as he let out a loud hurrah. "By Tuesday night, we will be man and wife."
We cleared away the breakfast dishes,. washed, dried and put them away. The rest of the afternoon was spent making a list of everything that needed to be done the next day.
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We needed rings. Billy knew of a jewelry store in town that he was sure would have just what we wanted.
I needed a dress. Billy's mother(who had come upstairs during the course of the afternoon) stated she planned to close the store Monday and Tuesday. She informed Billy and I that she was looking forward to going shopping with her -soon-to-be-daughter-in-law. I was looking forward to going with her. I had asked Estelle to be my maid of honour and she wanted a new dress too. So we included her in the shopping trip.
Since we did not have much time for a real fancy reception, we just decided to make it simple. We just went to the Dominion store in Sunset and got a small cake with "Congrats to Billy and Sherri" on the top. Also from the Dominion store, we bought several cold meat platters, some bakery products and some ready-made salads for the small celebration.
