It's All About Your Memories Final

We left Peewee and Fred on the back porch. Fred was on his knee asking Peewee to be his wife. Peewee thought a moment... "After seeing your passion for beautiful things I am moved. Your talent is so great. After meeting our son, David, your son, Mike and Bubba. I am moved to say perhaps I am not worthy of your love. Just then Bubba came out and put his huge head on her lap. Fred's cell phone rang...it was Mike. "Turn it on speaker Dad.. Can Peewee hear us? David and I want to share something with her too." Fred smiled and replied "OK you two goofballs say your piece."

"Mom we want you to be happy! If Dad hasn't asked yet he will. Please say Yes!!! for us." The two of them began singing "Close to you" Fred looked at Peewee and saw tears running down her cheeks. He kissed the tears away and whispered "Please say yes!" Bubba looked up at her and whined. "OK! You guys don't play fair. You've ganged up on me. I prayed that God send me a man and He sent the four of you. I must now say YES YES YES YES." The little cabin was filled with cheering, barking, and the speaker on phone was sounding like a Michigan Football game just after a score.

Very early the next morning Fred was painting. Fred heard the shower shut off and hid the painting. Christmas gifts were hard to hide in a small cabin. This was his best work thus far. It was a family picture of Fred, Peewee, Mike, David, and Bubba leaning on that 1969 Chevy Camaro rag top. Quickly he made some progress on a lighthouse scene. It used similar colors.

Peewee came out wrapped in a towel, carrying 2 mugs of steaming robust coffee. Looking over Fred's shoulder she remarked "Marblehead lighthouse?" Fred said "YUP!" and sipped his coffee. The two of them began to discuss the wedding, Peewee moving in, and next years art show. Decisions were made. Fred says "Now about the art gallery restaurant. If you agree, I would like to give it to our boys. I would like to continue my charity work with your and their help. I also would like to give you this property." Peewee sat down quickly. "Fred Ellis exactly how much money and property do you have?" "I dunno. We'll ask the accountant this afternoon when we see him."

Fred reached to grab her as she turned away. He had a handful of towel as she ran giggling and naked towards the bedroom. Fred began frying 8 thick slices of bacon and whipping up some chocolate chip and raisin pancake batter. Peewee returned dressed in a business suit. They ate, did dishes together, and headed into town. First stop was to see the boys. Mike was thrilled with the gift. David was next. David was also Fred's accountant. David jumped up and came from behind his desk hugging them both.

David looked @ Peewee when Fred told him "Give Mom all the details she wants. She is officially my partner." David asked if Peewee understood a P&L statement..Peewee nodded. "Stocks and bonds are valued by purchase price. You can inflate that number by 35%.for a legit sale price. Real Estate is based on tax evaluations, sale price would be about 50% higher than that. Cash on hand will have to be adjusted when we take the restaurant out of the picture.... Did I even say Thank you?"

"This is too much to absorb all at once, I will call and make an appointment with you after the wedding and move." Fred cleared his throat "The wedding is 2 weeks from Sunday evening in the meadow behind the cabin. Peewee is going home to pack up her house. I will go on Friday to asses the load. If you and Mike can help on Sat to load and bring everything back. We will store everything @ Son LeeStorage Till Peewee can sort it out."

The last stop before Peewee's departure was Son Lee Storage. An ancient oriental greeted them as they jumped from the car. Fred hugged the old man. Fred turned to Peewee saying My old friend I Fu Lin Lee is the grandfather of my son Mike, old friend this is Peewee my soon to be wife. Peewee bowed at the waist and spoke in ancient Vietnamese,,, "It is my pleasure to meet such a great wise man."

Fred and I Fu Lin Lee talked of his need of a truck and storage place. I Fu Lin Lee just nodded and smiled. I Fu Lin Lee whispered in Fred's ear and they both laughed deeply. Peewee smiled since she understood the value of "Man Talk" between old friends.

The next week Fred painted with a fury. He knew he must complete the Christmas picture since this would be the last alone time for months. He also knew if he was to keep it a secret he must produce enough work to make it look good. 12-14 hour days all week.

Friday dawned bright and sun drenched. Fred's ole truck ate up the miles to Peewees house. Fred crawled from the ancient cab as the sun crested the trees behind her home. When Fred rang the bell he was greeted by a sleepy Peewee wrapped in an old multicolored handmade afghan. Peewee pulled Fred into her home and deeply kissed him. Coming up for air they said in unison "Oh My God I missed you!!!"

Fred surveyed the neatly stacked boxes and crates. All tagged with Peewee's neat handwriting. "What about your shop tools?" Peewee said "They will be shipped next week to Son Lee Storage." Fred then spied an easel, palette, and box of brushes. "You Paint too?" Peewee just smiled, took his hand, and led him to the next room. There were 100s of oil paintings. All very good. Looking past these on the wall were 5 of Fred's early works. One portrait, one scene from Nam, and the remaining three were animals from the Arizona desert.

Peewee quickly dressed as Fred continued to estimate how much truck and storage they would need. He called Michael and said "Bring all you pals, and Son Lee's Big Truck. Please drive careful. Love you. We will see you early in the morning. I hope to back and unloaded before dark"

Peewee took Fred to brunch @ the local Coffee Shoppe. Everyone knew Peewee and wanted to know Fred. One old pugilist shuffled to their table. "I don't say much. If you hurt our little gal you will be stomped by most of the old folks in this town starting with me." Fred smiled and nodded his head as he stuck another fork full of bacon & blueberry hotcakes in his mouth.

Peewee asked Fred how he handled his rental properties. Fred shrugged his shoulders saying "I leave that to I Fu Lin Lee. I brought Son Lee and her family over from Nam and they needed work. I put her Father I Fu Lin Lee in charge of all my rentals. He has done a great job for me. Very seldom does a property set empty more than a month. I think I have 2-3 multiplex apartments in this town. Would you like him to take care of yours too? I also want to buy those paintings of mine. The lady is my wife, Son Lee, I believe her mother and father would love to have them"

Peewee got that angry look in her eyes. Slowly she took a deep breath and began "You listen to me Mr Fred Ellis. If we are truly partners what is yours is mine and what's mine is yours. There won't be any buying stuff. I paid $5.00 each for those paintings @ an estate sale in Reno, Nevada. I bought them because I liked the painter and knew as an investment it was a terrific buy. I would like to personally give all five of them to Son Lee's folks but it would be better if we as husband and wife present them."

"Yes Ma'am" giving her a military salute. "Now that's the red haired spitfire I fell in love with 50 years ago." Hand in hand they returned to Peewee's place to finish packing. They rolled the Chevy Camaro on to a car hauler Fred had brought with him. Fred fastened it down carefully. Then they packed the car with all of Peewee's daily needs, her favorite tea pot, clothes, paints, easel, her special stuff and the 5 paintings. She topped the load with her sheets, blankets, and towels. Peewee then put the afghan in the truck.... "It was the last thing my Mom made for me before she passed."

The boys arrived before the sun. The surprise was when I Fu lin Lee and his family also showed up to help. He greeted Peewee with a bow and a hug. Whispering to her "You are now my family too." Peewee and Fred stood in awe as the crew packed the truck in short order. "David make sure we fill the truck with fuel before you leave town. Use the company credit card. Mike make sure everyone gets a meal when the work is finished on me."

They were quickly on the way. Peewee had given the keys to her home to I Fu Lin Lee and respectfully explained she and Fred were partners and he should handle the rental. The trip home was filled with giggles and laughter. The miles sped by as they got closer and closer mentally and physically.

They decided to stop for a sandwich, a Diet Coke and call about the tent. Goliath of U-New Tent rental was very accommodating and the price was reasonable. He agreed to set the tent on Saturday afternoon and remove it before Noon on Monday. Mike's crew would take care of the dessert and coffee bar.

The week flew by. It seemed as if the whole world was singing that Cole Porter tune "Wundebar" The wedding day dawned bright and sunny. Folks began straggling in about 23:30. The alabaster tent glistened in the afternoon sun. The Canadian Geese were putting on a flying show. There was a bald eagle couple soaring above the tree tops diving into the pond for carp to feed their young ones.

Fred stood at the front of the tent as Mike and David, arm in arm, brought Peewee down the center isle. She was even more beautiful than he had ever imagined. Fred and Peewee stood hand in hand in front of special friends and an old NHRA racing competitor Rabbi Goldstien. Fred looked deep into Pewee's eyes and spoke in a quivering voice. "In days of old, men promised to have and to hold until death do us part. Today my promise to you in front of God and our friends and family is a bit simpler. I promise to love you more today than yesterday and only half as much as tomorrow. I promise to love you for all of my life. In front of God, our friends and family please except my deepest thank you for becoming my wife."

Peewee stood five foot tall, eggshell silk suit, both feet planted firmly on the ground looking up into Fred's eyes spoke in a hushed voice. "In days of old, women promised to love, honor and obey her man. I stand here in front of God, our families and friends, Thank You for asking me to be your wife. I thank God for bringing us together again after a 50 year absence. Most of all I thank you for making me a partner in every definition of the word. In front of God, our friends and family, please accept my deepest thank you for becoming my husband."

Rabbi Goldstein cleared his throat. "First let me express my thanks for inviting me to this exchange of vows. I know to you I represent God and the State of Ohio. Having said that I pronounce you Husband and Wife. I have been told there is a mountain of fresh fruit, cheesecake, as well as beverages available to help celebrate this wonderful blessing filled day. Fred you may kiss Peewee. I now present to you the new Mr and Mrs Fred Ellis Fred and Peewee skipped down the center isle into a new era of their lives.

Mizpah