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No one knew that the woman who lived in the cold, dark house looked forward to Saturday. Since just before Christmas, she entertained a visitor each Saturday, someone whose visit she looked forward to very much. As for the other six days each week, one day was just as gloomy as the next, unless she had to discourage an unexpected visitor or she looked ahead to her caller’s next visit.
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The official beginning of summer was only a few days away. The spring rains had become a thing of the past. While residents of most neighborhoods remained inside surrounded by the comfort of air conditioning or continually ran from here to there, most of Aylesford Place’s residents had a pitcher of lemonade handy in case they noticed another neighbor on his or her front porch. Then, a mere wave of a hand and their front porches resembled the front porches of days gone by. Even Lady Catherine came out on occasion, but always alone. If Norman did live there, no one had proof of it.
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The Armbruster family made use of the park nearby. It meant a lot to the children to see their dad push their mom on a swing and then stop the swing, whisper some sweet nothings in her ear, and give her a kiss on the cheek. A rooting interest began when Scott climbed onto a swing next to Nancy and both tried to see who could swing the highest. Scott flinched when Nancy suggested it, afraid his pregnant wife might fall. Kenny cheered and his sisters sighed when their mom gave up and their dad claimed victory. The playground area contained a seesaw and slide, too. Scott mounted the seesaw across from Nancy and they took turns going up and down. Kenny, on the other hand, got on opposite his sisters, and did his best to keep his sisters in the air. In the end, his determined sisters won out, kept Kenny in the air, and then rapidly got off as Kenny began a quick descent. By this time, his parents had moved off to the slide, where Nancy climbed the steps and Scott caught her as she descended. Nancy was determined to be careful, but to her, pregnant was not synonymous with an invalid.
After an hour or so of fun, Nancy left momentarily and returned with a picnic lunch. In an era where few families spent time together, she hoped Scott and the children appreciated the time they had together as much as she did.
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Melanie looked out her window and saw the Armbrusters returning to the parsonage. She bit her lip as disappointment set in. Would she ever find a man of her own? Would she ever have children? She had taken Cora’s advice. She had quit chasing men, but she did not fare any better than when she was the aggressor.
The real estate agent stepped out onto her front porch, walked over, grabbed one of the posts, and wrapped her arm around it, much as a leading lady in a musical would if she were to burst into song. Melanie stood, looking across the street, looking but not seeing. Her mind was elsewhere. Should she have put up a fight for Brad when he moved in, and if so, would he have chosen her instead of Amy? Brad and Amy seemed to be an item, but Brad had not yet asked Amy to marry him. Did that mean Melanie should reenter the picture? Even with Brad out of the picture, should Melanie have waited one more night to have dinner at Martinelli’s? After all, her date did not work out, but Allison, who went the next night for single’s night, found a love interest in Chuck. Melanie shook her head, as if to sweep away her negative thoughts. Instead, she forced herself to think of what Cora told her. Melanie was still young, and maybe some day Prince Charming would come calling on her.
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After several days of Brad imitating the Cheshire Cat, Saturday arrived and the foursome looked forward to another double date. Amy and Allison tried their best to discover what the guys had planned, but to no avail. Each ruled out prying the secret out of Brad, but hoped to have better luck with Chuck. Chuck merely reminded them of the way they had acted the previous week.
Amy had known Brad for a little over six months. As a result of their relationship, she became a fan of murder mysteries, especially ones written by Brad, and Agatha Christie. Amy had learned to sort out the clues she was given, and decided to use this process to figure out where they were going. This was difficult, because she only had two clues. She knew it was an evening date, and Brad had told her it was casual dress, and it did not matter whether she wore shorts and sandals or jeans and athletic shoes.
Amy was stumped. She had ruled out any daytime activity, and anything that required a lot of walking or vigorous exercise.
Shortly after six o’clock, the group left Aylesford Place and Brad chose a road that led out of town, but a different road than Amy had chosen the week before. Amy turned to Allison and gave her a look, but the look Allison returned told Amy she had no idea where they were going. The young women remained clueless for over an hour, then Amy saw the sign and started to smile.
Trail’s End Drive-In
Triple Feature
Creature From the Black Lagoon
Them!
Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman
“I love it, Brad,” Amy exclaimed as he followed the other vehicles into the drive-in. “I loved going to the drive-in when I was a girl, but they never showed anything like this.”
“Born too late, Dr. Watson. As was I. They used to show this kind of stuff all the time when my parents were in high school. Anyone seen any of these?” Brad asked. Only Chuck had seen any of them. He saw Creature From the Black Lagoon on late night TV a few years before.
“Naturally, when Chuck told me what was on, I wanted to check them out,” Brad said.
“Naturally,” Amy responded.
“The first two are considered two of the best sci-fi movies from the fifties, and the last one, one of the worst.”
After paying their money and finding a parking spot near the concession stand, Brad announced that it would be best if they ate before the movies started. He and Chuck agreed to determine the menu and would get food for all. Their dates agreed. A few minutes later, two young men with food stacked high arrived back at the vehicle. Brad and Chuck returned with a pizza, cheeseburgers, candy bars, ice cream bars, a large bag of popcorn, and four giant-size soft drinks. Brad put the ice cream bars in a small cooler of ice he unloaded from the back, and the foursome divided and devoured the food. Everyone got comfortable, the sky darkened, and the previews began.
Amy squealed when she found out that there would be an Elvis Presley all-nighter the weekend before the Fourth of July. Loving You, Follow That Dream, Viva Las Vegas, and Fun In Acapulco. Amy had seen them all. When the preview from Viva Las Vegas came on, Amy began to sing and gyrate in her seat, doing the best Elvis imitation she could. Everyone had a good laugh.
The drive-in took advantage of another opportunity to make money. A sixties-looking promo trumpeted all the concession stand had to offer. The girls chastised the guys for forgetting a couple of things that were advertised, as if there was any way they would be able to eat any more.
Next came a newsreel, which seemed out of place at a drive-in sci-fi triple feature. Still, the group enjoyed watching news of a summit conference between Winston Churchill and FDR, and a segment which showed William Powell and Myrna Loy, just after the release of another of The Thin Man movies. It came as no surprise that Brad had seen some of them. After all, William Powell played man-about-town and solver of murders, Nick Charles.
Everyone cheered when two cartoons followed the newsreel. The foursome watched Jerry best Tom and Tweetie triumph over Sylvester.
Finally, it came time for the first movie. Brad and Amy cuddled on Amy’s side of the front seat. Chuck and Allison curled up on the other side of the back seat. The suspense mounted as everyone waited for the arrival of the Creature. Brad whistled, and Amy poked him with an elbow, when Julie Adams appeared on the deck of the boat wearing a swimsuit. Amy threw popcorn at Brad for added effect. Brad and Chuck cheered when the Creature slithered through the dark water and up onto the boat. The girls laughed and cheered, too.
Amy expected Them! to be invaders from outer space, but soon found out they were giant ants who were terrorizing the southwestern part of the United States. Eac
h time the screen showed a scene with the giant ants, Brad walked his fingers across Amy’s shoulder and up the back of her neck. One time, armed with a fistful of popcorn, Amy lunged for him and shoved as much popcorn into his mouth as she could. Chuck and Allison enjoyed their friend’s shenanigans as much as they did the movie, which they both liked a lot.
When things settled down, Allison leaned over to Amy.
“I need to go to the ladies room.”
Amy, still in a playful mood, said,
“Attention, K-Mart shoppers, Allison needs to go to the ladies room.”
“You want me to get your chair out?” Chuck asked.
Inspired from spending too much time with Amy, Allison answered, “Well, the way I look at it, I have three choices. One, you can get my chair. Two, I can drag my body over the gravel without fear of getting in the way of the movie projector. However, my legs will be full of gravel pock marks which I will not be able to feel. Or three, you, Chuck, can lift me up on your back and carry me to the ladies room. When we arrive, I will put my hands over your eyes so that you cannot see. Then, you will back into the restroom, deposit me into a stall, then leave until I call you to return.”
“Okay, gentlemen, you have heard your choices. Which will it be?” Amy asked.
Simultaneously, Amy and the two guys shouted, “Three!”
Chuck got out of the vehicle and retrieved Allison’s wheelchair. Allison and Amy left and returned just as the third movie was about to begin.
The last movie of the night brought hoots and laughter from both couples. Especially during the scenes when the 50 ft. Woman was on the rampage. Brad and Chuck were glad Chuck’s idea for a date had been a hit with the girls. Even though it was well past midnight when they left the drive-in, all four laughed and talked all the way home. Chuck informed the others that there were bad movies that were even more enjoyable than the last movie of the night. He promised to delve into his collection some day and share some of them with the group. He told the others about the master of the bad movie, Ed Wood. He explained that everyone needed to see his personal favorites written by, directed by, and starring Wood. He mentioned the well-known Plan 9 From Outer Space, and the little-known Jail Bait.
“Not all of the enjoyable bad movies were done by Wood,” Chuck informed his companions. “Robot Monster is a hoot, too. The title character looks like a gorilla in a diving helmet. And there’s a must-see bad movie that has a walking tree, and one where the villain looks like a shag carpet.”
Everyone agreed there needed to be more double dates. The group arrived back at Aylesford Place wide awake, and hoping that each of them would be just as awake the next morning when Scott began his sermon.
The Fourth of July Picnic
Anxious to find out how her girls were doing, Cora invited Amy and Allison over for lunch. She would have invited Melanie too, but Cora planned to talk about romance. With Frank banished to his workshop, Cora, Amy, and Allison sat around the same dining room table where Brad enjoyed dinner his first Sunday on Aylesford Place. The trio had barely taken a bite of their salads when Cora could refrain no longer.
“So are things getting serious for the two of you?”
“No, we’re just friends. Both Allison and I are seeing someone else,” Amy said.
Allison laughed. Sometimes she wished she was as quick-witted as Amy, but she felt good with who she was, so she did not let it get her down.
“You know what I mean, young lady. Two weekends in a row the two of you come traipsing in at all hours of the night.”
“I’m sorry, Cora. Did you give us a curfew?”
“No, Amy, darling. It’s just that I find myself staying home more and praying for you, and these late dates keep giving me hope, but I’m not seeing any rings.”
“Why, Cora, you should get out more. I’m sure Frank would enjoy the peace and quiet.”
“Little lady, I think I’ve taught you a little too well.”
“Better to keep the men in line. That’s what you’ve always told me.”
“Yes, Amy, but you’re to respect your elders, even one as young as I. So tell me, girls. How are things? And I don’t mean your businesses either.”
“We’d better tell her, Amy. Otherwise Cora’s never going to let up. Besides, I’m quite excited to have a boyfriend this year.”
“And I’m happy for you, Allison, but are you going to be able to turn him into a husband? I figured Amy would have Brad hooked by now, and while I think she’s got him hooked, it sure is taking her a while to reel him in.”
“Are you the same woman who’s always telling Melanie to be patient?” Amy asked.
“Melanie’s different. I’ve never seen you charge after every man you see.”
“Just be patient, Cora, even though I have trouble being patient. I love Brad so much that sometimes I want to pop the question myself.”
“I know what you mean, Amy. Remember, I’m married to Mr. Laid Back. I was beginning to think I was going to collect Social Security before I collected Frank.”
The threesome returned to their salads as the two younger women shared about their love lives and the older one offered advice when she felt it was warranted.
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It had been quite some time since Lady Catherine wondered if Brad might have sneaked into her basement. Because nothing came of it, she felt somewhat relieved, but still felt uncomfortable around her neighbors. She was always afraid that someone would ask about Norman. She was tired of telling them the same story each time. Should she start telling them that Norman had gone home?
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The freezer at the church quit running the last week in June. Because all of the church’s money was designated for other expenses, there was not enough money in the emergency fund to buy a new freezer. Cora came up with an idea, shared it with Frank, and called everyone to their house to discuss it.
“As all of you know, the church’s freezer quit running this week. What you may or may not know is that the church does not have money set aside to buy a new one,” Cora began. “However, I have an idea how we can raise money to get a new freezer and have some fun doing it.”
“Cora, if you’re planning to bring out that blasted flamingo again, I’m leaving,” Harry said.
“No, Harry. This fund raiser is much quicker and not as painful.”
Harry sat back in his chair, still not sure whether he could trust Cora or not.
Cora went on.
“As all of you know, we have a Fourth of July picnic each year and each of the women spend a lot of time cooking so all of you men can enjoy it. While I do not plan to change that, I would like for us to do something different this year. I suggest that all of the women fix a picnic basket and that all of the men bid on those baskets and the privilege of sharing a picnic lunch with the woman who made it. Hopefully, the proceeds will be enough to buy a new freezer for the church.”
“How much is this going to cost me?” Harry asked.
“Well, Harry, it all depends on how much you’re willing to bid for Ethel’s picnic lunch.”
The more Cora shared her idea, the more everyone got excited about it. Even Harry, who realized it would not cost him much money to bid on Ethel’s picnic lunch. On the surface, it sounded a lot cheaper than being stuck with the flamingo, and Harry figured it would be a lot less embarrassing. Everyone agreed to try it and the meeting was adjourned.
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Scott paced in his study. He knew what he had to say would not be well received by his son, but he knew that somehow he could stumble through this speech better than the one where he informed his children that their mother was pregnant. Scott gathered his thoughts, then called Kenny into his study for a private talk.
“Whatever it was, Dad, I didn’t do it,” Kenny said, as soon as he saw the look on his dad’s face.
“Actually, no one has done it yet, Son.”
“Oh, so you’re kind of blaming me in advance, because you think of all your children I’m the o
ne most likely to do whatever it is.”
“Actually, this involves all of my children. I’ve already talked to your sisters and they agreed to do their parts.”
“You mean you’re sending them away to camp this year, and I get the house all to myself?”
“Not exactly, Son. Just sit here a minute and let me talk. I know how sitting and remaining quiet are hard on you, but bear with me. I want to get through this sometime today. Son, as you know, each of the ladies in the church will be making a picnic lunch and each of the men will be bidding on those lunches.”
“I know, Dad. So you’re going to bid on Mom’s basket for us,” Kenny interjected, showing that he could not remain quiet for long.
“I’m going to bid on mom’s lunch for me, Son.”
“But what about me, Dad? A growing boy has to eat.”
“Well, Son, your two sisters have agreed to fix a lunch. I want you to bid on their basket.”
“How much money are you giving me to bid on it, Dad?”
“None, Son. I want you to bid with your own money.”
“You want me to do what?”
“I believe you heard me the first time, Son. I want you to bid on their basket.”
“Let me see if I’ve got this straight. You want me to bid money I want to keep, so that I can eat something that probably tastes bad, plus I have to eat it with two people I would rather not eat with. I think my idea of sending them to camp is better. What if I would rather not spend my money on something they made? After all, while we are home-schooled and have never eaten in a school cafeteria, I have heard about cafeteria food. I think my sisters’ stuff would be just as hard to identify. Besides, it could make me sick, and then you’d have to pay a doctor bill.”
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