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FRIDAY MORNING ARRIVED NONE TOO soon with all his chores completed. His mind focused on Peggy. In the past he had never planned more than six months in advance. Now he was thinking that, after the next six months, life could begin for him and Peggy. He had come to Blue Ridge for simple revenge. He was not expecting this strange, new feeling of happiness. He now functioned in conflicting worlds.
Saturday night was the end of the month; therefore, Peggy’s friends would make their monthly trip to the supper club. He wondered if she would spend time with them or time alone with him. After last Sunday he felt the latter would be the case and that gave him a rush of excitement. What could he do to make this a very special night for her? It amazed him how much he wanted to please her.
He remembered some of the books he had read while in prison on how to please a woman. He now wished he had made a journal of what they said worked best. It was obvious she came from a family that had money, so pleasing her or surprising her would not be easy. He must surprise her romantically as that was the only card he held.
All the books had sections on flowers and candles, so he decided in order to plan for success he needed to purchase those. Success meant she would want to spend time alone with him. His mission was to somehow turn the apartment into a love nest. He was caught off guard the last time she visited him. Because of passion she had ignored the fact that he lived in a dirty bachelor pad. It would be stupid of him to assume that would always be accepted.
Since last week he had taken one room at a time and cleaned it from top to bottom. He had even taken the curtains, bedspread and sheets to the laundry across from the Tastee Freeze and washed them all, twice each. While waiting he had walked across the street and had one of their hamburgers. Business was slow during the week and he avoided taking the first booth in case a teenager decided to play the latest hit by Iron Toilet.
While at the Tastee Freeze, he recalled his experiences since arriving in July. This Tastee Freeze was the first place he had visited, so he had a history with the place, so to speak. As he ate and waited for the curtains to dry he realized he felt completely at home in Blue Ridge. Things like going to the laundry took away the temporary feelings he normally felt in the small towns he had previously selected for a crusade, as he liked to refer to his missions. This was good.
During lunch on Friday he crossed the railroad tracks to Lovell’s 5 & 10. Once inside he quickly found the candle section. They had long ones, short ones, and large ones and of course birthday candles. He selected six large ones for romance and five six-inch white candles for his timers. As he came to the counter he asked the clerk where he could get some fresh flowers.
“Anderson’s Florist across from the Western Auto, best place in town.”
“Thanks, I appreciate the directions also.”
It was just a short walk to the florist. Small bells chimed as he opened the door. A pleasant lady approached him with a smile that would warm any heart.
“What can I do for you today?” — she said.
He shyly told her he wanted fresh flowers for his girlfriend.
“What do you have in mind?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Roses are always good. I just got in some fresh ones today, in red, white or yellow.”
“What would a dozen red roses cost me?” — he said.
“You picked the most expensive flower in the shop. That would be $20.”
Even though he had the money from his previous adventures, he didn’t want anyone to know he had access to anything other than what he earned at the post office. He whistled to make it look good!
“That’s nearly two day’s pay! Let’s see that’s nearly $2 per flower. Could you let me have 4 for $6?”
“Is your girlfriend that special?”
“Yes ma’am, she is, surely.”
“Well, then, give me $6.00 and I’ll get your flowers.”
A few minutes later she returned with a long box. Inside was the roses wrapped in thin green paper. He looked at each flower in the box and noted he had six roses.
“Ma’am. There’s a mistake. You put in six and I can only afford four.”
With a big smile and a gleam in her eyes, she said: “I never could count, a problem ever since grade school. Will you get out of here and go have some fun on me!”
After exchanging names, he knew he had found a new friend. Yes, this town was growing on him.
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