Win and Flo get married, pt. 2

Win proceeded with his idea.  “What if we waited until they all leave, and then…” 

With that the front door opened, and the garrulous group rumbled out the door.  Uncle Floyd was still wearing a neck brace and Sister Anuncia sported a wire jaw halo until the bones healed.  When all were slamming their car doors, Great-grandmother Alice hobbled out on her cane. 

Flo jumped to her aid.  “Grammy, won’t you stay home and leave all this to the rest of the family?”

Alice harrumphed and shook her head.  “Why, certainly not!  Your pa needs me and this here cane.  Why, we can clear a room if need be.  Gotta make myself heard…stupid girl…” and Alice muttered all the way to her Dodge Ram pick-up.

Grammy's truck per Wikipedia

Then there was quiet in the house and along the street.  Residents had followed the two clans to watch what would happen when the two tried to decide on the venue for the reception.  Some had packed up lawn chairs and picnic baskets.

Win laid out his plan for her.  “Your trousseau—is it packed and ready?”

“Mama packed it the day you proposed at the church picnic, nearly two months ago…it’s in the garage, along with a trunk of cutlery, pots and pans…”

“Listen, Flo.  I can’t take any more of this and neither can you.  What if we…” and Win explained his idea.  Flo hugged him tightly.  While she changed into a nice church dress, Win lugged the trunks and boxes into the truck bed.

That was when the neighbor Joe Hicks sauntered from his back yard.  Win started at this unexpected complication.  Before Win could sputter a word, Joe raised his hand.  “Heck, Win, that’s about the first smart thing I ever seen you do.  You and Win Flo get outta here, leave these nuts to figure out what happened.  That’ll take ‘em about three days ‘fore they notice you two’d gone.”  He paused to spit.  “After Floyd took out the nun, I d’cided you two deserved better.”

Winthrop's truck per Wikipedia

With that, Joe helped Floyd load up as Flo stepped out onto the porch, a vision to behold.  Flo climbed up into Ford F-250 as Joe shook Win’s hand.  They roared out of town, taking the back roads across two state’s lines.

Sample marriage license per Wikipedia

They found a justice of the peace, got married and moved into a hotel where they didn’t emerge for a good solid week.  During intervals from unbridled sex, Win found a good job from the classifieds and Flo rented an apartment.  The trousseau contained all the money the family had planned to spend on the wedding, which was a goodly amount.  Her dad had been saving up for her wedding her entire life.

Once they were settled, Win drove over to a third state and sent a telegram to the families, which basically told them that Win and Flo were married, gainfully employed, and would contact them once they were settled.

Which took about three years.