Universal

Chapter 12

Troy had planned the perfect evening. Charlie, the man who owned the gas station and diner, had agreed to let him set up a picnic by his pond. He planned for them to have dinner together, then, using Charlie's paddle boat, they would paddle out into the middle of the pond where he would ask her to marry him under the moonlight. 

   He was waiting in the parking lot when she finished her shift. Words couldn't describe the way he was feeling. Nervous, excited, happy, and guilty were just a few but there were dozens of other emotions going on in his mind and his heart.  He opened the door to his daddy's truck and helped her climb inside. Patricia slid to the middle of the bench seat and rested her head on Troy's shoulder as he drove. 

Dinner was perfect. His mama had made a basket of fried chicken and they shared it while they watched the sun set. Troy kept the conversation light as they ate, not saying much so that he didn't accidentally spoil the surprise. It was finally time to climb into the paddle boat, and Troy was nervous. He knew it wasn't a good idea to ask her, knowing the answer Buddy had already given; especially because he was pretty confident that she would say yes, even knowing of her fathers disapproval. Troy could only imagine the Hell he would raise if they went through with a wedding behind his back. Judson, and their conversation that morning popped into his mind. It made him upset again and he was able to stifle his guilty conscience. Together, he and Patricia paddled the boat into the water, stopping only when they reached the center. 

Patricia was looking up at the stars when Troy spoke to her. "I talked to your Daddy today." He said, watching the way the moonlight reflected off of the water in a way what illuminated her face. She was beautiful, he thought. Her black hair curled right under her chin, and lashes of the same color fluttered over the most beautiful pair of ocean blue eyes. Her nose was the smallest one he had ever seen, even on a baby, and it turned up at the tip in the cutest way. Seeing her now, his decision to turn down Judson's offer felt even more right than it did that morning. He could never leave this woman behind. Just like he had told his boss on that hot summer day at the farm, and his brother the night at the legion dance, Patricia Stanfield had been created just for him. 

"About what?"She asked casually, not taking her eyes off the sky. 

"I asked him if I could marry you."

Her eyes shot to him and her face was a mixture of excited and surprise. "Well what did he say?" She bounced up and down with each word, causing Troy to laugh as he held onto the boat so he didn't fall in. 

"Settle down, Woman! You are gonna drown us!"

Patricia settled, and asked again. "What did he say?"

Troy couldn't lie to her about this, just like he couldn't keep from asking her anyways. "He said we weren't ready. He wants me to be more settled before we get married." 

Patricia's heart shattered. "Well, that's not fair! You work so hard! I know you will do whatever you can to take care of us, and I will too! We should be building a life together, not you building our life while I wait for you to finish!"

Troy placed his hand over hers to calm her. "I know." He said. "I feel the same way." He used his finger to lift her face up so that he could see into her eyes. "That's why I'm asking you anyways." Troy pulled the ring box from his pocket and opened it. The moonlight caught the emerald and it shined like a queen's jewel. "I might not ever make a lot of money." He told her. "But I will always love you. Patricia Ann, will you marry me?"

Patricia had tears in her eyes and she was holding back a sob. She fully anticipated the wrath of her Daddy if she were to say yes, but there was no way she was going to say no. "Of course I will." She replied. 

He pulled her to him and kissed her, as if to seal the deal. They would have stayed in that old paddle boat all night long, snuggled in each others arms as they planned their future together; but their time was cut short when a roll of thunder brought the rain. 

The couple laughed as they paddled the boat as fast as they could, sending it rowing in circles instead of closer to shore. When they finally made it to land they quickly grabbed the basket of food and quilt and ran to the truck parked a few feet away. 

........................

They arrived back at Troy's house, soaking wet and happy as can be. Since Patricia was only 15, one of their parents would have to sign off on the marriage; and since the Stanfield's were out of the question, that left only one person who would be willing to do the job. 

"Mama!" Troy called as he walked through the door. 

Helen waddled into the entry way of the old shack and instantly had tears in her eyes when she spotted her mother's ring on Patricia's finger. "Oh!" She cried, "She said yes!!" 

"She sure did, Mama. But there's one problem."

Troy and Patricia explained the situation to Helen and begged for her to go with them to get married. She didn't like the idea of going behind Buddy and Leath Stanfield's back, but she knew her son was a good man and that he would take good care of Patricia. Blaming it on the pregnancy hormones, Helen finally agreed and together they made a plan for the next day. 

Troy drove Patricia home that night. He kissed her goodbye in the driveway and as he opened her door to walk her to the porch she slipped something into his hand. It was the ring. "Keep this safe for me, won't ya?" She said. "I plan on putting it back on tomorrow and never taking it off again." Troy slipped the ring into his pocket. 

He drove home that night, but he felt like he was flying.