Stump and Charlene Celebrate an Anniversary

[Gita]

They drove from Hayneville to Montgomery, to the Olive Garden, where Stump ordered the fried appetizer trio and Char had the braised beef and tortelloni in mushroom-marsala wine sauce, and they talked between bites in a desultory way. She noticed that, after 25 years, she still found him attractive -- his hairline was holding steady, his eyes still twinkled. He noticed that after 25 years, despite a certain roundness at the jawline, she still had that megawatt smile and an animated way of talking about, well, everything.

Their conversation on that evening covered Hayneville rumors, the ungodly price of an alternator ($650) at the Ford dealership, the fact that their dog (let's face it) would never allow herself to be bathed at the groomer,  wildfires in Colorado, the possibility that college football was the official religion of Alabama, megachurches and their neighbor Bootsy Sykes' unmowed lawn.

After dinner, they drove home slowly with both the air conditioner on and the windows open, enjoying the westering sun and the tastes in their mouths of their respective meals.

The radio played oldies from the 70s, and both of them pleasantly anticipated bedtime when they would make love the way most couples do after many years: slowly, with a precise knowledge of what the other likes and needs.

 

[Harry]

Stump and Charlene have a good thing going. And, like many have pointed out, it's YOU who makes them so real. Thanks.

[Jeanette Cheezum]

I'm happy those two had a nice anniversary. The last line was the perfect end to a lovely day.

[Sandra Davies]

Oh my intermittent memory again! - and yes I can remember some of the details of my 25th Wed.An. - but I was convinced, by the way it leapt into my head, that 'westering' was from the Skye Boat song but having Googled the lyrics, seemingly not.   Instead it can be found here

Enjoyed this Gita, especially the open windows and aircon on.

[Angela]

Perfect night for them.  I love the way mixed air feels.  It is a wonderful sensation, and your inclusion of it makes their night truly special, I think.

[Andre DeCuir]

Thanks for your comments on Maudie. In this piece, I think you really nailed the action/ of people who have been together for so long.  I enjoyed the image of the open car windows with 70s music playing!

[Toby Tucker Hecht]

I just celebrated my 43rd anniversary so I really clicked with this one.  Great six.

[Ron. Lavalette]

Westering.  Wonderful.  And desultory is underused (which is good; let's keep it special).

All in all, G, this is gemilicious.  Brava!

[Gita]

I pronounce it Hay-nee-ville, although  I have heard some residents pronounce it Hainville.

[Kristine_ES]

westering is an awesome word, and it makes me feel olde but goode when it comes around.

can i ask if it's okay to pronounce "Hayneville" "hane-ey-ville"? i like  how it sounds.

and most importantly, congratulations to Stump and Charlene for a lovely milestone, their down-to-earth love and yes, here's to many more! 

[Teresa]

That last line is so true.  Well-aquainted lovers know so well where all those secret buttons are.  I love that this couple celebrates longevity.  Happy Anniversary!!