Lilly always chipped in by asking him, “Don’t you remember saying I do and kissing the bride?”
“Nope, don’t remember anything, but I do remember later that night,” he always put in saying he cemented his vows like a good husband.
Back at the reception, the table was stacked with wedding gifts and a big wedding cake with Slim’s favorite ice cream begging him to sink his teeth into it stood tall like he was. The hotel made an extra tall cake befitting his stature. Sam had hired his cameraman to take still pictures and the album were sent to their address when he was notified of a permanent address. The address wedding book was filled up and Lilly would not turn loose of it until she was back in their hotel room.
The next morning the passengers met for the last time having a buffet breakfast complements of the hotel in the small banquet room. Tears flowed from all the women and Carl too. He’d done a complete turn around and Carol was so happy she cried the most.
Diane missed the wedding but came to the reception. She announced she would stay in Chicago with her aunt until the baby was born and then all would make a decision after that about her and the baby’s future. After the initial shock her parents learned the truth and after that all was could be expected under the circumstances. Rick had her address and after leaving Chicago wrote her every day.
Thus ended the maiden voyage of the Lady Greyhound across Route 66 and from the new media advertisement on television, many more such trips were a big success for Greyhound. The commercials seen on TV sent many passengers flocking to Greyhound for scenic tours from the upstairs seating for better viewing. It was revolutionary for its day followed by Amtrak’s scenic passenger cars seen later on the railways across America.
As for Slim, Lilly and the rest let the reader fill in the final ending of a wonderful story.
End
All Aboard! Romance on Route 66 Page 21