TWO LONELY PEOPLE
Mae Ondracek
When Ugly Mugly first met
Farmer Charmer, she became completely captivated by his charm. His voice sent butterflies soaring inside
and she couldn’t understand this. Then he
smiled and the left corner of his mouth turned up, which formed a crooked smile
that sent her heart aflutter.
They went out to eat and to church functions several times
and then one evening he took her hand.
She thought, “This can’t be happening to me,” but sure enough, her mind
seemed to explode and she couldn’t remember what they talked about.
Ugly Mugly was very happy but concerned, wondering if she
could ever talk to Farmer Charmer like a normal person would, instead of acting
like a teenager being sent into orbit.
As she was sorting out her feelings, unsure of what to do,
he called for a dinner date Friday evening.
Of course she said yes, wondering if it would happen all over again.
Chapter 2
When Farmer Charmer arrived to pick up Ugly Mugly Friday
evening, he handed her a thick envelope.
As she eagerly tore open the flap, he smiled that crooked smile and her
hands stopped in mid air, as her heart did a somersault. Farmer Charmer began encouraging her to
finish opening the envelope and as her heart skipped a beat, she withdrew the
tissue paper.
Carefully unfolding the paper, Ugly Mugly’s eyes widened in
surprise, for there lay a beautiful crystal heart on a lovely golden
chain. She was unable to say or do
anything, so Farmer Charmer unclasped the hook and hung it around her neck,
giving her a kiss on the cheek. She
turned red, her knees started to buckle and with tears in her eyes she said,
“This is too beautiful for an old woman to wear.”
Farmer Charmer smiled and said she deserved something
beautiful because she was the only one that had ever made him feel special.
Chapter 3
The doorbell rang Sunday afternoon and Ugly Mugly was happy
to see Farmer Charmer standing there with a bouquet of flowers in his
hand. She invited him in and was
ecstatic when he gathered her into a big hug.
When her mind cleared, she put the flowers in a vase, made tea and set
out the cookies she had baked that morning.
Farmer Charmer exclaimed, “Oatmeal Chip, my favorite. How did you know?” Ugly Mugly said they were her favorites, too.
She could tell Farmer Charmer was nervous about something and asked him what was wrong. He slowly said, “I’ve been thinking about us a lot lately. We both have been through a lot of good and bad times. I really enjoy being with you and this past month has been great. I believe we deserve to be together and enjoy each other.” Ugly Mugly was very surprised and happy about this but she became startled when Farmer Charmer slowly slid off his chair onto one knee. He took her hand and said, “Dear woman, we are both 75 years old and I’d like you to marry me so we can enjoy every day together.” Without hesitation, Ugly Mugly shrieked, “Oh yes!” “That’s great,” he exclaimed, as he withdrew a gold band from his pocket and placed it on her finger. “Now, would you PLEASE help an old fool get up off the floor?”
Chapter 4
Finally the big day arrived. Ugly Mugly looked regal in her peach colored dress, carrying a
single yellow rose. Farmer Charmer had
given her a small tiara to wear because now she was going to be “his
princess.”
She was nervously awaiting his arrival because she was
remembering how his touch and voice made her feel.
Farmer Charmer appeared in the doorway, looking very
handsome in his sports jacket and brown shirt and pants. Ugly Mugly’s knees started to buckle and she
reached for the door jam but Farmer Charmer grabbed her, exclaiming how
beautiful she looked. He gave her a
brief hug as the wedding march started.
Farmer Charmer took Ugly Mugly’s hand, to steady her, and
slowly they limped down the aisle, looking lovingly into each other’s eyes.
After a brief ceremony, the minister told Farmer Charmer he
could kiss the bride. Giving the
crooked smile that always made Ugly Mugly’s heart flutter, he held her and gave
her a kiss. Ugly Mugly’s head cleared
as he took her arm and they started down the aisle. Farmer Charmer said, “Now you are finally mine. Aren’t we glad we waited until we could
afford this wedding?”