Everyone
is laughing, singing and clapping. Anna
sips her tea as she winks at Peter. He
comes over, kisses her forehead and squeezes her shoulder.
“I
love you, Ma.”
Her
eyes begin to water. She doesn’t ‘hear’
the words often yet he shows his love every day, just like his father. She sits
watching the youngest showing off with somersaults, her mind drifts to the day
Steve proposed.
It
was the end of October, 1930. It was Indian summer. The week before had been cold and damp. The trees were bursting with color. Red, gold and orange leaves gently falling
around them. Anna had packed a picnic
for them. She was sure it would be their last before winter. Stephen drove them out to the country in the
used Parkard he had bought at the beginning of summer.
The
quilt was spread on a blanket of leaves.
Stephen seemed quiet to Anna. He
normally would out talk her about the plans he had. She asked several times if he was
alright.
“Let’s
go for a walk Anna.”
As
they walked, Anna chattered on about her new job as a bookbinder. She enjoyed the work. She enjoyed even more the freedom having her
own money gave her. She gave her parents
money then put the extra left in a mason jar inside her winter boots. She would take money out now and again to buy
material for a new dress or a wedding gift for a friend getting married. Anna wanted to make sure she had money for a
rainy day. The depression had frightened
her.
“Anna?
Anna? Anna!” Stephen finally stopped
walking and pulled Anna to a stop next to him.
“I
love to listen to you. But Anna, I have
something important to say.”
“Sorry,
go ahead then. Something is wrong, I’ve
had the feeling all day.”
“No”,
Stephen said. Anna could see his mind
was somewhere else. “Nothing is
wrong. In fact, I hope everything is
going to be right. I had a talk with
your father after church last week.
Anna, he has given me your hand, if you will have me.”
Anna
hid a smile, she knew it was coming. Her
mother had mentioned the talk between Papa and Steve. As she was saying yes, Stephen was putting
the ring on her finger. It fit her
perfectly.
The
rest of the afternoon was spent talking about their future. By the time they reached Anna’s house, they
had decided on a February wedding.
Christmas
was spent with Anna’s family. Stephen’s family
was still in Europe. They wouldn’t be
making the trip for the wedding. Anna
was disappointed.
There
was a large box under the tree for her.
Stephen took pictures as she opened it.
Inside was a notebook titled “Steve’s Favorites” filled with recipes. There
was a photo album filled with pictures of people she would soon be related
to. Wrapped carefully at the bottom of
the box was white netting. It was so
delicate. It was trimmed with a crochet boarder. It was at least ten feet long.
“Steve? Your mother did this for me?” Anna was
holding back the tears.
Stephen
laughed. “She has been working on this
since I told her I saw you walking passed the house. I’ve written her every week and sent so many
pictures. She feels she knows you.”
“I
will cherish this always.”
During
the weeks before the wedding, Stephen bought his bride her wedding gift; a
house on the edge of the city. He missed
having his family with him so insisted on having her parents live with them.
The
day finally arrived. Anna wasn’t
nervous. She was just excited. As the organ began to play, Celeste began her
walk down the long aisle of the church.
Andrew took another last look at his prinzessin.
“You
finally have your gypsy. You can always
change your mind. Say the word and we can leave”
“No
Papa, I’m very sure.” She touched his hand, “It’s time.”
When
asked who gave the bride away, through tears, Andrew gave her hand to
Stephen.
Stephen
leaned down to Anna’s cheek, “It seems a life time passed waiting for you.”
Peter
saw Anna smile and close her eyes. He
took her hand and knew his mother was gone.
He knew she was happy where she was by the smile. He’d seen that smile on her face every time
she looked at his father.
He
kissed her forehead, “Happy birthday, Ma.”
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