Picket Fences! Part 10.2


That same afternoon at Joy's house . . .



Arlene arrived home and brought her friend Julie home with her on the schoolbus.



Larry's carpool dropped his off a few minutes later. His neighbor Ben who also just arrived home, came over from across the street.


"Listen to the latest gossip Larry. Our new neighbor Rhys Sawyer . . .
"Is having an affair with . . .


"Joy Anderson", whispered Ben.


"Rhys Sawyer is on active duty alright, but not with MY wife", laughed Larry

(1940's slang: "active duty" means sexually promiscuous boy)



Larry told Ben goodbye and hurried into his house.

Joy met him at the door and gave him a tender kiss.


"I'll have supper ready by the time you change clothes", she said, "I told Arlene she could invite Julie to eat with us."


"I can hardly wait for tomorrow to come. The zoo is going to be so much fun", said Julie.

"Yeah, my mama said they had a big whale on exhibit", said Arlene.



Joy called everyone to supper a few minutes later.

"Our teacher gave each of us a shirt to wear tomorrow. Mine has a baby tiger on it", said Arlene.

"Mine has wolf cubs", said Julie.


When Joy went into the kitchen to clean up she got her first "baby bump".


"Are you kidding?"

(1940's slang)


Joy went back into the livingroom. Larry rubbed her belly and smiled.



"This is the best surprise I could ever imagine. You've made me very happy sweetheart", he said.
"I'm happier than I thought I'd be", she said.


Larry went into Arlene's room and read the girls a story.


When Mary Lou came to pick up Julie, Joy called her over.

"Come on in. I'm in the bathroom."



"Mary Lou I have to tell you something. I'm having an affair with Rhys", she said.

"What! Are you out of your mind?", said Mary Lou.



"This might or might not be his baby", she said.

"You want to bet on it", said Mary Lou.


"Please don't tell anybody. Say you'll help me keep my secret", said Joy.

"I don't approve, but I promise I won't tell anybody", said Mary Lou.


Then Mary Lou and Julie left to go home.



To be continued . . .