Chapter 1: On the Road

The day Slim and his truck pulled away, Tom Franklin felt glad. He was finally rid of one middle-aged unattached woman handicapped with a small toddler. Hard merchandise to sell to reluctant cold-feet husband prospects. They were scarce to begin with. Tom had worried he’d be stuck providing for Ann and Susan until Susan grew up. When she herself found a husband, Tom might hope, would allow his mother-in-law, Ann, to live with them. Remote chance. Susan is only two. Now that worry is leaving with Slim’s truck, moving to Florida with Cappy. Resolved!

As for Alma? Somebody would eventually take her. Alma was young, attractive, and a sex pot. Tom himself isn’t vulnerable, not tempted, not much tempted by Alma’s coquettish, seductive, and deliberate flashes of intimate flesh. Morgan is! Tom caught Morgan masturbating behind the barn more than once. These flights of fantasy always followed an episode of Alma sexually teasing Morgan. Tom feels protective of his grandson. Too bad young Stephanie won’t stay. Correct age for Morgan. She’s nice, respectful, and very cute. Unfortunately, she’s attracted to Slim and leaving with him. Maybe Cowboy, or Roy, when he returns, will take Alma off Tom’s hands. Worst case scenario? To protect Morgan, Tom would take Alma as a second wife for himself. Now that’s a thought. Tom feels himself stir.

Stephanie won’t stay. She is sticking to Slim like a cocklebur. Slim Chance and None are inseparable in her mind! And in her secret heart!

When they get into the truck, Cappy, Ann and Susan take the bunks in the Man-box. Slim is behind the wheel and Stephanie AKA “None” is riding shotgun. She considers this, intends this to be, her rightful place for always. At Slim’s side.

“Everybody ready? No-one wants water or has to last minute pee? Okay then!”

Slim starts the truck to roll. He’s happy to be back on the road and grins at None. She happily grins back. Slim follows up, winks at her. None feels her heart leap in her chest. A wink from Slim is almost better than a kiss, or just as good. Almost.

“Maybe we should make it a double wedding!” suggests Cappy, holding Susan.

“What are you talking about Cappy?” asks Slim.

“It’s an excellent idea, I think. It’s obvious to Cappy and me, Stephanie is long gone on you, Slim! Just look at her, at her face! She’s glowing!” Ann remarks. “Now she blushes! Woo, your face is on fire, girl! You’re a cradle robber Slim!”

“That’s impossible! I haven’t done one damn thing! Have I, None?” Slim looks to Stephanie to back him, to defend him. Stephanie isn’t sure how she should answer. Cappy and Ann are suggesting she and Slim get married. What a delightful but impossible idea! She’s too young to marry legally. Worse luck, Slim doesn’t think of her as someone pretty, not an eligible girl for light flirting even. Too young. Seeing her as a marriageable woman, is very far from his mind. How can she answer? Can the right response tip this in the way she wants, dreams for it to fall?

“Well, you aren’t guilty of planning it, Slim. Nobody can justly blame you, but you stole my heart, all the same!” Stephanie can’t breathe! Her heart’s hammering!

“NONE!” Slim is totally shocked! He is very red faced and thin lipped, and squint eyed. Seriously concentrating, Slim pulls onto the shoulder, and stops the truck.

“We told you Slim! Hahaha!” Cappy and Ann tell him.

Slim looks appraisingly at Stephanie. Smiles to himself, confident in his decision.

“You’d better start breathing again, Stephanie. You’re turning blue. I might have to give you mouth to mouth resuscitation. I hope this is only the first time, of many, when I can take your breath away. That blue face the current style for brides this year? I personally prefer my own cute bride be in the pink of health.” He winks.

Cappy and Ann cheer! Susan cries in confusion and attention deprivation.

Stephanie finally begins to breathe when it dawns on her, Cappy and Ann are planning her wedding to Slim as part of a joint wedding with theirs!

“Are you actually serious Slim?” She hesitantly asks. Holding her breath again.

“Well! I’m always serious. Have to be around electricity. And about you, girl.”

“I love you, Slim! Truly!” Stephanie feels she died and went to heaven. “You don’t really have to do this! Even to be just your girlfriend, I’d feel like I died and went to heaven! I’m more mature than I look.” Patting her flat chest, adds,”Inside.”

“You told me, you don’t have any family to take care of you and protect you, but I will! I’ll give you my name and respectable status as my wife. Folks might think you’re too young to be my wife, but they’ll think worse of us, mostly of you, if you live with me without benefit of marriage. I care about you, None! How old are you, anyway? Too young to make such a momentous decision, even if it was legal. Right now, it’s still lawless. Nothing is legal or illegal. You can decide what you want to do when you’re older. I promise to turn you loose, when you can care for yourself, if that’s what you want then. Meanwhile, I want you for my wife.”

“I want to be your wife, Slim! I promise to be a good wife, too! I’m thirteenish.”

They wink at each other. Slim leans over and gives her a light peck on the lips.

“Everybody ready again? Nobody has to last minute pee or something? Okay!” Starting to roll, Slim assures Stephanie,

“You ARE too young to marry, but I want you, None. Wanted you from the moment I first laid eyes on you. Maybe you don’t know it, but you’re beautiful.”